Creating the Idea of Home: The Shaw Community and Recreation Center

Home is something which is not easily defined. It cannot simply be described as a place, or a building, but as an idea of a place. The place is different for everyone. For some it is where they grew up, for others it is where they currently live. The idea of that place is similar for everyone.

When thinking of that place, everyone is reminded of the people they met, the things they learned, and the memories which made it their home. This thesis aims to define home, and how the idea of home can be created into Architecture. The Architecture is not meant to be reminiscent of a home, in the sense of a dwelling, but have the aspects which create the idea of home. These aspects include the concepts of community, education, and memory. Using these concepts, the Shaw Community and Recreation center was developed, which embodies the idea of home.