Open Collections

Abstract

Families in Vancouver are increasingly moving to more affordable dwellings often located in high-rise buildings downtown. However, evidence suggests that this architectural typology has a variety of negative effects on children. Further, children in general, both in Canada and abroad, are currently and commonly facing a variety of preventable physical and mental health problems. To address these issues, this project argues that architecture, specifically the high-rise architectural typology, must better enable and promote play. In particular, this project contends that play which is child-directed, risky, and outdoors in a natural environment is the most beneficial and therefore warrants the greatest architectural consideration through qualitative analysis. In addition, this project endeavours to design a play-focused high-rise building using the findings and research produced herein.