The city of Columbus is committed to addressing the youth homelessness issues and create a transitional housing center to facilitate the prosperity of their youth. This project will provide the necessary resources to those individuals in need and help address a contemporary issue that many cities face and hopefully serve as a model for their own solutions to come.
Student Design Competition 2026: Youth Transitional Housing and Support Center
Project Background
The program for a new Youth Transitional Housing and Support Center will be composed of a transitional shelter as well as services and programs dedicated to the unique issues facing Youth Homelessness.
The Center will be designed to be a welcoming place for services and transitional housing to youth experiencing homelessness. Services, as well as on-site staff will be available for all residents, including, but not limited to: therapy, counseling, education support, recreational opportunities as well as the basic housing needs as outlined in the building program.
Due to the difficulties already experienced by these youth, care should be taken in the design to address this (trauma informed design). Trauma-informed principles can be applied to building design to promote better outcomes for the people who live and work in affordable and transitional housing.
Site Description
The project site for the Youth Transitional Housing and Support Center is in Columbus, Indiana. The site, located at the intersection of 1st & Jackson Streets, is within close proximity to some of these architectural works, most notably the Republic Newspaper Office and Columbus City Hall, both considered National Landmarks, which sit across the street from the project location. Directly adjacent to the east exists a small 1-story brick and stone structure. To the south, the site is constrained by railroad tracks that sweep west across Brown St. which creates the western edge of the largely triangular site. Directly across 1st Street from the site is Robert D. Garton Veterans Plaza. This plaza serves as a marker to enter downtown Columbus.
The architecture within the city is a mix of modern design and distinctive historic buildings, the tallest building being the Bartholomew County Courthouse a few blocks away. The overall characteristics could be considered low-rise, lower density architecture featuring a very historic downtown core, juxtaposed with modern architecture such as the Cummins office building and corporate headquarters and the Bartholomew County public library.
