Architecture is often described as not capable of​ solving social problems. This thesis claims it can and​ must play a critical role in shaping the lives of​ vulnerable populations. Examining the forsaken​ community of Camden, NJ, left to suffer in its​ downwards spiral, multiple systems are to blame,​ and new approaches are needed. One approach​
that begins with the youth - deemed as the one true​ route to ‘saving’ the city – requires significant and​ timely mentoring. The youth in this city go to school,​ but not to learn math and science, but how to survive​ in their own town. No one could survive in a foreign​ culture without first learning that very culture. So they​ learn it in school and it consumes them and their​ community. In the minds of many, the only way to​ break this vicious cycle is by “putting a chokehold”​ on the number of young people who become victims​ of their own culture. With a 50% dropout rate in​ Camden, the youth learn to fight, deal drugs, defend,​ protect, and earn respect through fear.​


This is not by choice, it’s ‘the way of the land’.​


Through the program of a charter middle school​ integrated with Rutgers University, youth and​their parents are given an opportunity to move​ beyond the dire circumstances they were born​ into. The program asserts every child has a​ self-actualized person inside. Although it is suppressed,​ this can be represented in Maslow’s hierarchy. The​
youth of Camden do not have the most basic of​ needs (food and shelter), thus they cannot move​ forward in the process of self-actualization. In order​ to self-actualize and interact with the rest of the world​ this thesis promotes an architecture of assimilation​ and modeling that will guide and mentor the youth,​ subconsciously and actively by helping them to​ search and discover things about themselves that​ will intrinsically become a part of who they are.​ Every step taken in this open environment will serve​ to bring a sense of community and togetherness with​ one another and with the shared pride of Rutgers.​ Contrasting values will challenge them and bring​ out the desire to want to be more, and be “more and more of what is.”