The Sheepfold
My Role:
Student
School + Professor:
Harding University
Amy Cox + Dr. Sarah Wilhoit
Category:
Mixed Use
Timeframe:
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
The Sheepfold was a one-stop shop facility that took care of the immediate needs of children who had been abused or neglected. This allowed the children to be medically examined, debriefed by the police, and get some much-needed rest all in one facility, reducing the amount of change at one time.
Many children who would have taken refuge there would have continued to go to the schools they regularly attended if they were among the six nearby. This would have helped keep the children on a regular routine, as too many changes at once could potentially make things worse. Throughout the day, many volunteers would have circulated through all three floors to assist the house family by playing with the children, attending to the infants, and cooking meals.
The Sheepfold was planned to partner with Sunset Church of Christ, located directly behind the facility. Many of the volunteers who would have helped out would have been members there. These volunteers would have vital to the support of The Sheepfold.
The spatial organization of this project was intentionally designed to enhance security, with all public spaces located on the first floor. The second floor is designated exclusively for girls, while the third floor is reserved for boys.
The first floor consists of 2 separate entrances + the following spaces:
Intake Reception
Medical Unit
Private Exam Room
Staff Zone
Shelter Rooms (x2)
The second floor consists of the house family dwelling unit + the following spaces:
Small Community
Space
Laundry
Storage/Utilities
Case Worker’s Office (x4)
Restrooms (x3)
“The Fold” – Visit Room
Classroom
Two of the girls’ bedrooms can house one girl, two of the rooms can house two girls, + one room has the capability to house 3. There is ample space for the children to rest and relax, getting away from the trauma they have experienced.
Boys’ Bedrooms (x5)
Boys’ Bathrooms (x5)
Kitchen +
Dining Room
Visitor
Reception
Small
Group Gathering
Girls’ Bedrooms (x5)
Girls’ Bathrooms (x5)
First Night Room
Infant’s Room
Small Community Space
Laundry
Just like on the girls’ floor, two of the boys’ bedrooms can house one boy, two of the rooms can house two boys, + one room has the capability to house 3. There is also space set aside for games like pool, foosball, + air hockey.
Medical Unit
Medical Unit
Medical Unit - Private Exam Room
Every evening, the house parents host a devotional in this room. It is not required, but highly encouraged. These devotionals are meant to help the children grow in their faith, as well as give them hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. While this is formally a classroom, the children can use it throughout the day to do homework or have a group over to study when the room is not in use.
This classroom is also used in the community. The goal of the Sheepfold is to eventually reunite the families after so much rehabilitation and counseling. Classes are held here biweekly. After attending counseling and at least 8 of these classes, if there is a significant change in behavior, the biological parents are allowed to start reserving “The Fold” for their regularly scheduled, supervised visitation, to try to repair the relationship with their children.
First Floor
Computer Lab
Dining Area
Kitchen
Visitor/Resident Reception
Sitting Area
Vestibules (x2)
Custodial Space
Stairs/Elevator
Second Floor
Toddler Room
Infants’ Room
Two-Story Slide
Game Floor
Two-Story Slide
Over-Looks (x2)
Third Floor
The third floor consists of the house family dwelling unit + the following spaces:
The medical unit serves as a place for the children to be examined once they are pulled out of their homes. There is a fully enclosed room at the back, so there is maximum privacy, as these initial examinations can get very personal. There are also 2 beds in the main area to serve as a place for minor injury and illness recovery for any other children that may be living at the shelter at The Sheepfold at that time. This medical unit is staffed with 2 nurses at all hours, day or night. This allows the children to be examined as soon as they get there, no matter the hour of the day.
Classroom
+ The Fold
Second
Floor Overlook
Siblings’
Room Perspective
