MASTER'S THESIS
Designing harm reduction centers in a contemporary urban space.
In his master’s thesis, the author aims to answer questions about how a harm reduction service could be provided and how the center providing the service could fit into the existing urban environment. So far, architects and urban planners have not said much on this topic, and the objective of the thesis is to start a discussion on this topic.
Estonia is at the forefront of drug use in Europe. Harm reduction is one of the measures to combat the problem. In addition, Estonia is in high positions in the rankings of the spread of diseases associated with injecting drug use. Harm reduction is one of the ways to control or improve the current situation.
The author studies different types of damage reduction and points out their strengths and weaknesses. Harm reduction services can be provided in the form of a stationary or mobile center, home visits, syringe exchange machines or as an additional service in pharmacies or hospitals. There is no ideal type of harm reduction, but it is important to combine them to reach as many people in need as possible.
At a harm reduction center, a person must feel comfortable and pleasant in order to not become reluctant to return to the center. In the following work, various architectural and interior architectural techniques have been studied, to understand how to create an environment where it feels good to stay at and where a person wants to return to. In the form of diagrams, the author offers various ways in which future environments could be designed or existing ones could be supplemented.
One of the biggest problems with the centers is often their location, because local people do not want them in their area. To tackle this issue, the author proposes a method for avoiding certain institutions and elements to reduce the problem spatially and site-specifically. In the practical part of the thesis, the author analyzes two areas in Tallinn using the described method and suggests different locations for harm reduction centers.
In the practical part of the thesis, the author solves two centers in these locations, which show how the points and ideas presented in the theoretical part could be applied in practice. Due to the locations, the author has solved one center as a separate building and another as a commercial space of an existing business building in Tallinn.
The concept and inspiration of the new center to be built is based on residential architecture, as the aim is to create the most familiar, homely and cozy environment as possible. As a result, the author has used a modest and calm architectural language and materials. The center created in this way resembles a home rather than a public building.
When creating a center at a commercial space, the author has followed the goal of creating a complete center with the most compact and minimal space program possible. Therefore, the author has set a limit to create the center on the existing commercial space. Thus, it depicts the possibility to create a fully functional center for an existing commercial space, which is based on architectural and spatial design techniques, and it is also possible to create a pleasant environment in a smaller space.
As a result of the master’s thesis, the author has solved two harm reduction centers in Tallinn based on theoretical research. Thus, two examples have been created of how the locations of harm reduction centers could be chosen in a modern urban space, and how the center could be created as a new building or in an existing environment taking into account the users and bystanders. The centers serve as examples of how the ideas set out in the theoretical part of the thesis could be put into practice.
Estonia is at the forefront of drug use in Europe. Harm reduction is one of the measures to combat the problem. In addition, Estonia is in high positions in the rankings of the spread of diseases associated with injecting drug use. Harm reduction is one of the ways to control or improve the current situation.
The author studies different types of damage reduction and points out their strengths and weaknesses. Harm reduction services can be provided in the form of a stationary or mobile center, home visits, syringe exchange machines or as an additional service in pharmacies or hospitals. There is no ideal type of harm reduction, but it is important to combine them to reach as many people in need as possible.
At a harm reduction center, a person must feel comfortable and pleasant in order to not become reluctant to return to the center. In the following work, various architectural and interior architectural techniques have been studied, to understand how to create an environment where it feels good to stay at and where a person wants to return to. In the form of diagrams, the author offers various ways in which future environments could be designed or existing ones could be supplemented.
One of the biggest problems with the centers is often their location, because local people do not want them in their area. To tackle this issue, the author proposes a method for avoiding certain institutions and elements to reduce the problem spatially and site-specifically. In the practical part of the thesis, the author analyzes two areas in Tallinn using the described method and suggests different locations for harm reduction centers.
In the practical part of the thesis, the author solves two centers in these locations, which show how the points and ideas presented in the theoretical part could be applied in practice. Due to the locations, the author has solved one center as a separate building and another as a commercial space of an existing business building in Tallinn.
The concept and inspiration of the new center to be built is based on residential architecture, as the aim is to create the most familiar, homely and cozy environment as possible. As a result, the author has used a modest and calm architectural language and materials. The center created in this way resembles a home rather than a public building.
When creating a center at a commercial space, the author has followed the goal of creating a complete center with the most compact and minimal space program possible. Therefore, the author has set a limit to create the center on the existing commercial space. Thus, it depicts the possibility to create a fully functional center for an existing commercial space, which is based on architectural and spatial design techniques, and it is also possible to create a pleasant environment in a smaller space.
As a result of the master’s thesis, the author has solved two harm reduction centers in Tallinn based on theoretical research. Thus, two examples have been created of how the locations of harm reduction centers could be chosen in a modern urban space, and how the center could be created as a new building or in an existing environment taking into account the users and bystanders. The centers serve as examples of how the ideas set out in the theoretical part of the thesis could be put into practice.
Front view of the new centre
View from the park of the new centre
The exhibition at a Gallery of Architecture in Tallinn
Render of the site model
Interior view of the new centre
View from the street of the new centre
Interior view of the centre on a commercial space
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