Open Arms: An Adolescent Obstetric & Mental Health Community

Central Texas

MFA 1, Studio 4, 2023

Programs Utilized: AutoCad, Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Sketchup, VRay, Enscape

Created during the first weeks after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this center is a haven for teen girls who will need medical care, parenting classes, mental health care, and other services that come with giving birth and/or raising a child. The design concept came from the idea that medical facilities can be cold and intimidatingly, especially to young teens who are already in a vulnerable place. This space is catered to teen girls, and was first inspired by the idea of shopping malls - a place where teen girls have notoriously thrived in. Both medical exam rooms and mental health rooms border a large open atrium space were users are encouraged to foster friendships and help each other through their experiences. A large teaching kitchen is designed for both girls, their partners, or families, to grow together to learn how to best take care of their families.