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Virginia Tech

Biophilic Design: Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Biophilia: the close relationship between architecture and nature. In my thesis, I look to embrace that relationship by designing housing for homeless veterans. For veterans, this connection helps the space become a place of healing and reconnection to nature, which is proven to have a positive impact in our health and wellness. The building becomes a container of nature, where the presence of green features and natural elements are present from the moment you come into the building, the choice of materials, the different activities and position of the spaces to welcome the most amount of natural elements into the building. This creates an indoor/outdoor environment where the resident feels secure by the walls but also welcome by nature. The building captures nature through different activities and moments, where both nature and architecture work together to create a space of healing and peace, a place of freedom, but at the same time a place of security and stability. An oasis in the city, which helps homeless veterans start over and create a space they can call home. The building is equipped to offer different activities and purposes not only for the residents, but also for the employees and visitors. The building becomes a welcoming space for the neighbors but also for nature. The building welcomes different species and promotes the creation of different habitats that can serve the growth of the ecosystem.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Architecture
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Architecture
Department dc:contributor.department
Architecture
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2017

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Rossi, Maria Alejandra
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Feuerstein, Marcia F.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Piedmont-Palladino, Susan C.
  • Emmons, Paul F.

Subjects

dc:subject × 7

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:12309
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78904

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Rossi, Maria Alejandra. Biophilic Design: Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/78904