New Origin House: A Transitional Home for New Beginnings
What are we trying to Achieve?
This project aims to design for the future: to “plant seeds of desire for a better future” and to “catch the imagination and [nourish] the desire for change” for immigrants, digital nomadic workers, and Calgarians together. 1
Calgary has a need for an affordable working + housing strategy that will “foster accessibility and diversity among people, ages, tenues and household types” with special attention given to surface parking lots and/or the underutilized parcels within the downtown core of Calgary. 2
The proposed architectural strategy will provide short-term affordable work spaces that “promises to improve neighborhoods for newcomers and long-time residents alike” through the “interlocking [of] identities to create unique lived experiences.” 3
How are we trying to Achieve it?
A short-term co-working centre that will ensure lasting relationships are formed between the immigrant, digital nomad, and immediate Calgary community through a mutually donated skill-sharing community formed within the architecture.
A centre of accessible work spaces for all involved that provides community based housing for both nomad and immigrant groups in exchange for their mutual support, skill-sharing, and involvement in the communities growth, both internally + externally.
This program will specifically target immigrant groups are entering the Calgary community at a disadvantage and digital nomads that fall within a low-mid level income bracket to ensure a positive impact is achieved for all participating.
What can you do to help?
This project is not about creating a unique architectural experience, but rather helping immigrants in their transition to Canadian living.
Providing support and social change for issues which plague immigrants will creating a better and more inclusive Calgary. Immigrants struggle with inequality in the workplace due barriers of learning a new language, lack of support, and recognition of credentials among others.
Providing the assistance and support to immigrant in these areas of need, or at least continuing the conversation, will increase the likelihood that change starts. While we propose digital nomads as a key influence, you can also help.
1 Dovey, K. 2009. Becoming Places: Urbanism/Architecture/Identity/Power. London: Taylor & Francis Group. 43-53. Accessed May 2021.
2 The City of Calgary. 2021. Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan. Accessed May 2021.
3 Kubey, Karen. 2018. “Housing as Intervention: Architecture Towards Social Equity: Putting Architects Front and Center in the Fight for Housing Equity and Social Justice.” Forefront, Oct 29. Accessed May 2021.