Matthew Beresford

My work focuses on examining the mental health of those within post-disaster housing and highlights the various alleviation techniques available. It then incorporates these elements into the high-density housing provided by the bunkhouse typology through an architectural language. Taking advantage of the missed opportunities to instead create a typology that is designed to alleviate mental health symptoms and reduce the chance that PTSD becomes a lifelong condition. The new typology will allow the occupants to feel once again safe and comfortable and provide a foundation for them to rebuild their lives.

The influence behind the design choices focuses on the study of proxemics and the literature of Kai Erikson, Hannah Arendt, and the imagery of Jan Rothuizen. With an emphasis on affordability and ease of construction.