Research Topic 02: Refugee Resettlement in Columbus, Ohio. Precedent Study 05: (CRIS) Community Refugee and Immigration Services

RESEARCH TOPIC 02: REFUGEE SETTLEMENT IN COLUMBUS OHIO

Role of the US Department of State:
The mandate for refugees falls under the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, which is itself headed by the Undersecretary for Democracy and global Affairs.

Who is eligible for resettlement?

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has the international mandate to provide refugee assistance and to determine if resettlement in a third country – be it the United States or another country – is the right solution.

Less than one percent of refugees worldwide are ever resettled in a third country. Resettlement is often called “the option of last resort,” i.e. the course for the most vulnerable groups of refugees. UNHCR has eleven criteria to determine if resettlement is appropriate, such as Iraqis who worked for the Multinational Force in Iraq or for the US government, households headed by women, and members of religious minorities.


Resettlement Agencies: This term describes the nine U.S. private voluntary agencies (Volags) and one state agency that have cooperative agreements with the PRM Bureau to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees in the United States. Such agencies recieve per capita grants (According to CRIS this only amounts to about $400 per refugee) and administrative overhead funding which is supplemented by self-generated resources, to provide refugees with a range of services including sponsorship, inital housing, food and clothing, orientation and counseling. The Bureau enters into agreements with such agencies annually, based on a proposal submission and review process.

The 10 volags are listed as follows:



CASE Study 05: Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS)

Initial Contact with CRIS:
Initially I contacted Jane McGrew of CRIS via e-mail on August 18, 2008 the following is the initial contact between Jane and Myself.

Dear Ms. McGrew,

Allow me to introduce myself; I am a Graduate Student of Architecture, at the Boston Architectural College working on my thesis project. I am also presently a resident of Westerville, Ohio.

I am in the beginning stages of my thesis, which will be for a center for refugee assistance and acculturalation. My focus is on creating a built environment, which acts as a Haven for Refugees and Asylees, allowing them to transition into American Culture. This is not to say that the goal is to assimilate them into society, but to allow opportunities of community outreach and exchange.

I was surprised and delighted to find your organization in the Columbus area. I am pleased to say that many of the services for which I am proposing for my proposal are in tandem with the services provided by CRIS. I would appreciate a chance to be able to talk with you about your needs as an organization, the services you offer, and needs and desires of the refugees and immigrants whom your organization serves. I also see this as an opportunity for me to become involved with your organization in a manner beyond that of the purely academic.

Ultimately, my research would be a meaningless exercise if I did not feel that the work of organizations such as CRIS was valuable and beneficial. I am more than willing to involve myself personally and am pleased to offer my services as a volunteer in exchange for the opportunity to understand the needs and wants of your organization.

I will be in Boston the week of August 18th thru August 24th, but would welcome a phone call from you as soon as you are able to find time. I would also like to be able to come to your office and discuss the aspirations for this project with you or someone from your organization upon my return to the Columbus area.

I can be reached by cell phone at 614.787.0402, by e-mail at steven.munger@the-bac.edu, or via my g-mail account at steven.munger@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Steven A. Munger

Steve,

Thank you for the email and your interest in CRIS. Your thesis project sounds really interesting, and it comes at a time when we are considering consolidating our various offices at one site.

Because I will be out of the office for a month or so I will find someone at the agency to meet with you. Please let me know that you have made contact -- or if there is anything else I can do for you.

Jane

Jane McGrew
Community Liaison
Community Refugee & Immigration Services
3624 Bexvie Avenue, 43227
Phone: 614 235-5747
Fax: 614 235-6127
www.cris-ohio.com

We have subsequently met and conversed a number of times, and Jane has been incredibly helpful in providing me with information about who the Refugees are, where they are coming from, what they can expect upon arrival, and what services her origination offers. Beyond this, she has provided me with what she wishes her organization could do if it had the facilities to accommodate additional activity.

Below is a summary of the important points from our conversations:

What is CRIS? What is its mission and what are the services provided:

The mission of CRIS is to provide the services most necessary to the acculturation, self-sufficiency and well being of families and individuals in legal immigration status, of all religions and national origins presently living in Central Ohio. The organization was founded in 1995 to respond to the need for ongoing services to refugees resettled in Central Ohio by Catholic Social Services' Office of Migration and Refugee Resettlement Services (CSS/MRRS) and Lutheran Immigration and Resettlement Services (LIRS), both of which closed in 1995 after 20 years of service resettling immigrants.

The Buddhamamaka Society, Inc., a charitable organization founded in 1987 by political refugees from Laos, established CRIS as an outreach organization to provide services no longer available for immigrants following the closure of CSS/MRRS and LIRS.

Who are the individuals served?

Currently, CRIS serves more than 1,000 individuals per month, and is the largest provider of services to legal immigrants in Central Ohio. CRIS is uniquely suited to deliver services to language-minorities CRIS staff includes approximately 30 men and women fluent in English and 19 other languages appropriate for the needs of their clients.

How are refugees matched with Columbus as a city for permanent relocation?

Refugees arrive in the United States for permanent thrid-country resettlement, in conjunction with the United States Department of State. from there they are placed by one of 10 umbrella organizations with their member constituents. As an example CRIS is the Ohio representative of the Church World Services organization. CWS works with the state department as a VOLAG, to match incoming refugees with the services which will best be able to provide for their particular situation. For instance if there is a large ethnic community of Somalis it will be more likely that incoming Somalis will be placed in the same city. This also follows that family reunifications occur in the same manner.

What is the demographic breakdown of cases recieved in Columbus?

he following vignettes give a flavor of the legal issues addressed by CRIS volunteer attorneys:

• A Somali woman came to the U.S. as a refugee with several of her children, fleeing the devastating effects of that country’s long civil war. Her husband and several other children were forced to remain behind in a refugee camp. The woman came to CRIS for help in being reunited with her family. CRIS’ staff attorney helped her prepare the appropriate papers needed to do so.
• A young man escaped from Mauritania, the country of his birth, after having survived years of persecution by the Mauritanian government, and beatings at the hands of the police. The man is working with CRIS’ attorney and Fulani bilingual staff worker to prove his eligibility for political asylum.
• A woman from Cameroon endured years of mental and physical abuse from her husband because of a mistaken fear that her own and her children’s immigration status would be compromised if she did not. She finally could not tolerate the situation any longer and decided to leave her abuser. She came to CRIS’ staff attorney who provided counseling, linkage to shelter and found pro bono legal representation for her divorce.
• An Ethiopian refugee applied for a “green card” to which he was entitled and which he must have to benefit from all available employment opportunities and to begin the process of becoming an American citizen. He received no response from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for years. His inability to speak English fluently and the complexities of official communication with INS made it very difficult for him to claim the immigration benefits for which he is eligible. CRIS’ staff attorney wrote a letter on the man’s behalf and was able to get him his green card.
• An Eritrean woman’s landlord attempted to evict her for non-payment of rent despite the woman’s claim she did not owe the money. CRIS’ staff attorney helped her resolve the situation so that she could remain in her apartment.

Research Topic 01:Who are Refugees?

Any discussion of a project related to Refugees needs to start with some definitions:

UNHCR: office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Location: Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland
Founded: 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly
High Commissioner: António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres of Portugal, Since 2005

The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.

It is important to note that the mandate of the UNCHR extends where either a soverign government or the United Nations requests assistance.

UN CONVENTION RELATING TO THE STATUS OF REFUGEES:
This document, originally ratified in 1951 in Geneva, was originally limited to protecting refugees from world war two in Europe, but was expanded in 1967 to remove geographical and time limits. The protocol defines who is a refugee, what are the responsibilities of nations, and what are the responsibilities of the

REFUGEE:
Article 1 of the Convention as amended by the 1967 Protocol provides the definition of a refugee:

"A person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it."

It is important to note that the UNCHR does NOT define internally displaced people as refugees. The act of crossing a political border transforms internally displaced individuals into Refugees. However UNHCR is involved with about half of all internally displaced individuals at the request of sovereign nations.

ASYLEE:
Asylum is different than "refugee" status, in that it usually refers to an individual and is reviewed on a case by case basis, while the term refugee, refers to a mass movement across international borders. Additionally refugee status is a legal designation which does not extend to all asylum seekers.
So: Not all asylum seekers are refugees, but all refugees seek asylum.

So, due to our distance from most landmasses, and relative political stability of our immediate neighbors, refugees arriving in the United States are traditionally applying for permanent resettlement in a third party country (U.S.) .
It is important to note that this is not the case for refugees who arrived via boat from Haiti starting in the 1990's, as these individuals are "Refugees" who are seeking asylum in the United States directly, having come initially to the United States from Haiti.

WHO IS NOT A REFUGEE?
Economic Migrants: Migrants who leave their home country voluntarily are not refugees, should they return home they will receive the protection of their government. Refugees, by contrast cannot safely return to their home country unless there is a fundamental shift in their situation. (Peace treaty, change in government)

Disaster victims:While tragic in nature, victims of disasters, both natural and man-made do not qualify as refugees.
War Criminals cannot be refugees
A refugee must be a civilian, active military members cannot be considered as refugees.

Precedent Study 04: German Village - Columbus, OH

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Precedent Study 03:Universidad Ténica Federico Santa Maria

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Precedent Study 02: Milwaukee Montessori School

Milwaukee Montessori School: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Studio Works Architects, Los Angles
60,000 SF Completed at a cost of 1.45 Million (24.17 /SF)
Completed: 1999

Studio Works undertook a very challenging project with the Montessori School, but rather than using the typical budget-challenged-institutional materials of vinyl composition tile and acoustic drop ceilings, they focused on creating an environment which introduces materials not commonly found in educational settings, and which reinforces the Montessori philosophy of teaching, by creating an active, dynamic environment.


Entry Canopy and wall addition:


The original school was built in the 1950's as a catholic primary school, and is everything which could have been expected from buildings of that era. Limited size-strip windows, repetitive corridors, drop ceilings and a uniform, relatively un-articulated brick exterior.
The challenges of working within a very tight budget required that the only intervention to the exterior of the original school was the addition of a concrete wall, and an overhead canopy marking the entry. The materials are simple; aluminum and plastic (used in greenhouse construction). Overall the form of the entry as a thrust outward from the corridor within, provides a play on the exterior which provides some dynamism to an otherwise static environment.

Exploded Axonometric Partial Floor Plans:


The axonometric floor plans reveal that the renovation, while complete, tends to focus the more expensive (looking) materials around corridors, and common areas while leaving individual open classroom areas with more spartan finishes. By grouping the money the effect is such that the entire building feels richer and more spectacular than a $25 / SF budget would allow.

Gathering Area / "Stage": view across the corridor


Gathering Area / "Stage": Looking into the space


The "Stage" as an intervention alters the nature of the space by providing a break to the linear nature of the original double loaded corridor. By switching to a more "vibrant" flooring material (Polished Plywood) and by wrapping this material around the entire space, an object is created which is perpendicular to the flow of the corridor. Rather than the strict formality of a catholic education, a playful space which reflects the Montessori spirit shows the architects commitment to emphasizing the clients values.

Classroom area: flexible room spaces accommodated by moving partition walls


Classroom area: natural lighting from above


Classroom area: built in seating & storage


Classroom area: hinged partitions allow for varied degrees of enclosure


The classrooms are light and open, with flexible partitions that allow for varied use and enclosure

Sketch: integration of Montessori philosophy into building





Relevance to the Refugee Center:

First and foremost, this project is relevant because of its low budget. By concentrating on specific areas of gathering, and allowing the remainder of the building to work with an even lesser budget, this project is a prime example of good work of humble means.

The refugee center will be funded through very limited means, and needs to be built of humble materials. The use of OSB, plywood, and fiberboard, finished to a higher degree is a great example of elevating a "lowly" material. The use of greenhouse plastic for the skylights, provides a large amount of diffuse light deep within the classrooms where otherwise they might not receive much light.

One of the most intriguing things about this project, as it applies to the "refugee center" project, is the idea of shared common space, and "hinged space" which allows for varying degrees of partitioning and privacy. The use of built-in furniture also has some relevance as these amenities, tend to last longer, look cleaner, and cost less (frequently not always) than systems, or movable furniture.

Precedent Study 01 : The North Market - Columbus, Ohio

History of the North Market:

Columbus at one time had four major markets throughout the city. The Central, North, East and West markets. Shown here in a historic photo from 1935 the Central Market was demolished in 1966 for "Urban Renewal" and is now occupied by the greyhound bus station.

Founded in 1876 the North Market is the only remaining of Columbus' Public markets. The market has been home to local butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and farmers. In recent years the market has expanded to include ethnic food specialties as well as gourmet groceries. Originally the market was located at the City’s public Cemetery (where the parking lot is now located),


the original structure burned down in 1947, and was replaced with a war-surplus Quonset hut. The Market declined in popularity in the 1960’s-1970’s as new suburban grocery stores became available.
In the 1980’s the market was met with resurgence in interest, and the market decided to expand from its Quonset hut. The present market occupies a renovated building which was previously the “Advanced Theatre Warehouse”, adjacent to the market’s original location. In 1995 the New North Market opened, and presently attracts up to one million visitors annually.




The North Market today:

Today the North Market is a mix of locally produced meat and vegetables, specialty shops as well as ethnic food eateries. All of the businesses are small and local and this market serves as an incubator for small business, while providing a gathering place for people to eat, shop mingle and people watch.


Geographically, the North Market is situated at a transition zone between the high rise downtown and the lower rise area of the "Short North". Interstate 670 cuts a swath and separates these districts. Recently a building called "The cap" has been built over I-670 which seeks to provide continuity between the short north and the area surrounding the convention center along High street. The Convention center draws millions of visitors annually, and provides the market with a much needed influx of capital, as the ethnic eateries cater very heavily to those individuals who need to grab a quick bite and get back to their activity.
The building is aproximately 100 feet wide and 250 in length.

View of front of Market from corner of Spruce & Wall Street:


The market is set along Front street, but faces inward towards its parking lot / market area, which can be converted to assembly space. In effect, due to the proportions of the surrounding buildings the parking area is a sort of public courtyard.

The Iconography is simple but direct, a neon sign with a rooster, proclaims this as a market building. The additional exterior stair towers, provide a simple vertical element made up of corrugated plastic, they invoke a certain rural agricultural element which reinforces this notion of "Market space".


Looking South towards downtown along Front Street:

Along Front Street the building very much holds the street edge, with a monolithic rhythmic elevation which is a testament to its past as a warehouse, and to this area's history as the warehouse district of Columbus. Multiple Awnings provide a human scale and break up this building at the street level. It is interesting to note that deliberately, the awnings are mismatched which reinforces the notion that the building holds multiple vendors and is a public domain.




Structurally, much of the building's original structure remains, although the second level has been removed except for a narrow mezzanine strip at the perimeter. This acts twofold. The open grid system serves as an organizational structure which allows for mechanical and electrical equipment to be hung at a mid level. This also allows the space to flow vertically over much of the building and gives an openness to the feel of the building. The perimeter mezzanine serves as seating and allows the patrons to view the buzz of human activity from above.



At the front of the building (facing the parking lot) a simple tube steel gallery with a roof, provides shelter for temporary farmers markets on a seasonal basis. This temporary nature, reinforces the market concept, and provides a fixed focused temporal event for people to gather.


The open steel and wood grid of the former warehouse serves to provide an organizational frame against which individual tenants can build their space.


Simple utility hook ups occur in quadrants, so that each vendor stall has a centrally located sanitary stub, water supply, and electrical service. The stalls are composed of simple materials: painted CMU's , corrugated plastic and painted 2x10 materials. All expression beyond this is left to the individual vendors to craft their image.



An important part of the North Market is the system of bulletin boards spread throughout the circulation space (verical stairwell enclosures, as well as on the mezzanine). This civic forum provides an implied exchange of free ideas beyond that which the market promotes as an organization.


Relevance to the Refugee Center:

The North Market, is a simple structure, yet it gives individual SMALL proprietors a place to "hook in" to utilities, to gather together to attract foot traffic which they would not get alone, and to create a dynamic, charged atmosphere, where people want to visit. Individually they are insignificant, there are no "anchors" there are no chains, but together they form a community which engages those around it.

The addition of the Farmer's market on the steps of the main market provides a temporal event where people gather. Temporal events, because they occur infrequently, serve to gather people in greater concentrations than permanent events.

The location of the market in an Urban Business District Setting, while it is located for historical reasons, shows that this type of market can exist without the assistance of a large scale residential population in the immediate vicinity.

The structure itself is very humble, and the concept of a "hook-in" can be applied not just to any retail aspect of the center for refugee acculturation, but to that of the housing portion as well. The utilities are permanent everything else is allowed to flow around and accumulate around these central "utility cores"

Response to critisism - Where Do I go from here

The critics who were on the review were interested in architecture primarily as an esoteric singularity rather than as a backdrop for human interaction, and I believe that because of this much of the criticism was focused not on what was presented, but on architectural issues which had not been conceived of or manifest physically at the time of the critique.

A common question received during the review was "so what is your project about?" The critics saw that there was a program and an idea, but wanted to know how this was to manifest itself architecturally. What makes this an architectural problem and not a social engineering problem?

The critics insisted that none of the six projects presented by myself or my peers were in line with what they expected to see as a thesis. They stated that the point of a thesis was to explore issues of architecture which will act a set-up for a methodology of how we are to approach problems in the future (our careers).

I admit that this line of criticism got to me and has wrecked havoc on my confidence in this project. I have a deep personal suspicion of any sort of attempt by architects to "socially engineer" space, to cause it to conform to any specific singular vision or dogma, and to impose onto the inhabitants of the space a rigid and fixed solution to a problem which is ever evolving.

I have been unable to answer why I believe that this is an important project for me personally, why I think it has meaning architecturally. I have been unable to devise a methodology of exploration which has any fruitful meaning or which provides any substantive understanding or process.

In short I'm stuck, and have very few options to go forward.

SO, with that in mind, what can I look at?

As an architectural issue, this project is very much about transience and impermanence: While the organization is fixed, the focus of the attention is ever changing as new waves of refugees from very different cultures successively build onto an area.
Architecturally it becomes an issue of "How do you create a space which is flexible, and adaptable, yet serves a range of needs, and societal views?
The first part of the project needs to take on a role of a center where

There is a need to provide at the same time some stability. The intent is permanent refugee resettlement to the united states, not transients. So architecturally it becomes about neighborhood creation, and establishing sub-cultural boundaries in a built environment. Part of the project should be neighborhood design.

Criticism recieved at intensive wrap up

At the intensive conclusion we presented our preliminary proposals for exploration both to Heinrich Hermann our instructor, as well as to three additional visiting critics:

As I sat down and listened to the three classmates of mine who preceded me, I started to think deeply about my project. Periods of reflection often follow periods of frantic production, and I find that some of the best idea development comes when you turn off your mind to conscious thought and realize your intent, even at the expense of the work already produced.

What I had thought was about an intertwining of shelter-engage-outreach going into the presentation quickly morphed into another set of ideas.

The critics were very interested in how the project was to manifest itself architecturally, and were less concerned with the stated objectives of how I wanted the building to interact as a piece of social space.

So I thought about the ideas and decided that my project, the center for refugee acculturation, was to act as a semipermeable membrane which would allow different compounds varying degrees of access across its varied barriers. This is a decent idea, but in no way had any bearing on what I was showing on the projection screen.

As a result the criticism was fairly harsh, and because my ideas were scattered, so was the criticism:

Below is a summary of the criticism: Much thanks to Tim Riffle for taking notes for me during the intensive:



Below is a printed transcript of the image above, not all the comments make sense now, just as they were occasionally non-sequitur during the review. Others astound me with their profound simplicity.

Preliminary Thesis:

• What is project about? Filtration of what?
• What is the architectural vehicle?
• Representation of where people come from -- how they filter in
• Means to study vehicle - translation to arch terms
• spacial gray scale
• Need to accommodate difference
  
• Find own place due to comfort and tradition
  
• Is filtration the right word?
• opposite of filtration?
• Not truly open system
• broken with patterns of past immigration issues
• creation of zone / buffer - has identity
• crossing the border is substitute for something else
• receiver
  
• Point where dissident Russians flow thru - something like your project
• Exposure to American life
• Mini melting pot
• learn from each other
• Place where American public can meet immigrants
• best architectural metaphor
• engagement of individual / community / systems
• vast program
• places of engagement
• Other immigration areas
• Public / Private
• Idea of Shared amenities
  
• Test in other ways to see if vehicle works
• Relationships to other communities
• Sociological / physiological levels
• perceiving space loss leading to uprooting
• adjustment of value system
• what is best site for building?
• Is city best spot?
• Develop understanding and implement
• Maybe dense urban isn't right
• concept of reciprocity - balance of needs
• what are necessity / needs
• (van likes work of Hirshburg)
  

August Intensive - Summary Thesis Proposal Outline

Center for Refugee Aculturation and Outreach

Its a wordy title, I would love to work on that, but in the meantime, here is where I intend to go with this, please note this is an evolving post, and I intend to amend, append, and edit this as it becomes relevant in the course of the project:

Precedent Studies
01: North Market - Columbus, Ohio
02: Milwaukee Montessori School - Milwaukee, WI
03: Universidad Ténica Federico Santa Maria Architecture School
04: German Village - Columbus, Ohio
05: CRIS - Community Refugee and Immigration Services - Columbus, Ohio

Research Topics:
01: Legal status and definitions of Refugees
02: Refugee resettlement in the United States and Columbus, Ohio
03: Bazaars, Souks, Markets and Fairs - The commerce of daily life
04: New Urbanism - The projection of Cultural value in the built envirionment
05: Courtyard Housing
06: Subculture boundaries - Where does a neighborhood start and end?

Site Selection and Analysis:
01: Neighborhood selection - Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative aspects of desired site
01.1: Parsons Avenue Corridor
01.2: Old Town East
01.3: Downtown
01.4: Franklinton

02: Refinement of site selection: Franklinton
02.1: Zoning and land use study
02.2: Opportunities for growth
02.3: Analysis of isolation
02.4: Historic Context

Program Analysis and proposal:
01: Programatic Objectives
01.1: Immediate shelter
01.2: Engage Community
01.3: Provide for acculturation services
01.4: Provide Immediate economic opportunity for self sufficiency.

02: Programmatic Adjacencies

03: Program document

Building Organization and Design:
01: Proposed parti orginazation
02: Proposed massing, plan and section
02.1: refined massing plan and section
03: Architectural character
03.1: building massing
03.2: roof form
03.3: materials
03.4: fenestration strategies
03.5: Structural expression
03.6: tectonic development

Why this project matters & what it intends to be

So what possible interest can I have in the subject of refugees other than the purely esoteric? I have never been expelled from my homeland, never felt any systematic persecution for either my political or religious beliefs at the hands of a government, and as for my "homeland" it's Ann Arbor, Michigan and I can return whenever I want. As for ethnicity, I am the majority, I am white, male, christian, protestant and middle class.

But still, I feel a degree of kinship with these individuals, and I believe that many Americans of my age and background can relate to the notion of placelesness and impermanence which has become deeply embedded in our culture.

In the past decade I can claim to have lived in fourteen different addresses, in twelve different edifices, in six cities in three regions in two states:

01: 1912 Frieze, Ann Arbor Michigan 48104 [Childhood home]
02: 138 W. 11th, Room 309, Columbus OH 43210 [College]
03: 4224 Cherrywood Dr., Troy MI, 48098 [Parents moved]
04: 138 W 11th. Room 426, Columbus, OH 43210 [College]
05: 191 W. 12th, Columbus, OH 43201 [College]
06: 2188 North High Street, Apt 24, Columbus OH 43201 [College]
07: 50 W. Northwood Avenue, Apt B, Columbus OH 43201 [College]
08: 133 W. Oakland Ave, Apt C, Columbus, OH 43201 [Recent Graduate]
09: 1410 Haines Avenue, Grandview Heights, OH 43212 [Post Collegate]
10: 158 E. Third Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201 [temporary stay with friend between moves]
11: 4229 Village Ln, Toledo Ohio 43614 [move to get married]
12: 2553 Portsmouth Avenue - Upper, Toledo, OH 43613 [first married residence]
13: 7769 Stoneford Drive, Columbus, OH 43235 [Wife's new job]
14: 181 N. Vine Street, Westerville, OH 43081 [bought a home]

I spent the past decade trying to keep from developing any real ties to place, keeping mobile, refusing to plant anything but potted plants which I could move with me, trying hard to not gain possessions which were not easily moved in an afternoon. I also never bothered to join any civic organizations or do any sort of organizational work in my community, because "why bother?" after all I know that I am just going to move in a year or so.

This semi-nomadic life is remarkably common amongst my peers, and in part we as Americans have made this lifestyle not just an easy one, but a lifestyle which is a tool that copes with the necessities of the contemporary American built environment.

Fast food, off ramps, strip malls, "lifestyle communities" commuter suburbs, McMansions, corporate office parks. All these are built expressions of this "semi-nomadic" lifestyle. None of these environments challenge individuals intellectually, culturally, or in any way fosters the notion of community or place.

For me, the case for refugee resettlement is a personal catharsis, a cultural lens by which I see my own lifestyle reflected.

While I have a rather dim view of the present state of the contemporary suburban-city, I do believe in the promise of the United States as a land of opportunity. I believe in the United States as a society which allows multiculturalism to flourish. Much like the language of English, America borrows from other cultures, and brings the best traditions from the world together in one place. Our flaw is that we rarely ask each other to meet (culturally speaking) in a meaningful dialogue.

I believe that some of the most memorable places in our built environment are products of our diverse ethnic and cultural past, and reflect the spirit of the American promise.

In this project I plan to examine these areas, the notion of placemaking, and offer this as a contrast to the uniformity of the sprawlscape whcih comprises the contemporary city.

The program will be for a "Center for refugee acculturation and Outreach" which will seek to provide assistance for a small and ever-fluctuating population of refugees, providing them with immediate shelter, acculturation services (translation services, legal counseling, resettlement coordination) as well as economic opportunity. Additionally the center shall act as an "embassy" which provides cross cultural exchange and engages the newly arrived refugees with the larger community within the city. Finally the project is to provide an infusion of people, diversity, and vibrancy into a built environment which is without human scale, without individual spirit and in need of repair to the community.

By introducing a framework for development using the "C.F.R.A.O." as a catalyst, the goal is to create a new and exciting development plan for an aging neighborhood in the contemporary American city.