HOME BASE

A Planning Guide for Housing & Reintegrating Veterans in Rural Communities

Home Base is a rural community planning guide that addresses the struggles my comrades and I have faced while adjusting to civilian life after the military. By providing transitional housing and a supportive environment that offers veteran-centered services, a sense of protection, camaraderie, and structure, veterans will experience a welcoming return and a smoother reintegration to civilian life.

Home Base offers access to essential services and resources our service men & women have become accustomed too. The Headquarters (HQ) serves as a hub for social interaction, counseling, life skills development and provides space for community gatherings.

The housing component of the community is designed to provide temporary residency for veterans at varying stages of life and with different family structures. The overall layout prioritizes community and accessibility. Shared green spaces and recreational areas promote interaction with fellow residents as well as physical and mental wellness. Having had nearly every moment of their daily lives planned for them, our veterans will benefit from being able to ease back into living on their own and handling daily tasks.

Montcalm County, Michigan, home to over 4,000 veterans, is the case study of this thesis project. The proposed community includes headquarters, housing, childcare, fitness center, and chapel, providing a holistic support system for vulnerable veterans.

Through thoughtful architectural design and community planning, Home Base will mitigate the risks of homelessness and mental health issues faced by veterans. It will reduce the levels of anxiety and depression by walking beside them as they transition between military order and civilian chaos. Creating a sense of community, security, and opportunity can make a real impact on the lives of our veterans and their families and create constituents who will give back to a community who lifted them up.