Designing Unity Haven: A Hostel for Transgender People

Abstract

The purpose of this study article is to examine the significance of creating inclusive environments for transgender people and females, with an emphasis on hostel settings. The study addresses the difficulties transgender people encounter in conventional hostel environments, such as insufficient privacy, prejudice, and awkward social situations. In order to promote social interaction and respect individual boundaries, the \"Unity Haven\" hostel aims to establish a secure, welcoming, and encouraging atmosphere. With a focus on privacy, comfort, and utility, this study looks at the design components, process, and planning considerations required to create such a place.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Interior Design Definition

The field of interior design is broad and includes improving a building's interior to create a more aesthetically beautiful and useful space. It takes into account how to employ layout, furniture, colors, materials, textures, and space to give the occupants a well-balanced and cozy environment. Interior design plays a crucial role in enhancing people's overall quality of life by creating environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and supportive of their requirements.

B. The Concept of Hostels

"Hostel" comes from the Old French word "ostel," which means "inn." Hostels are inexpensive lodgings where people, frequently tourists, share rooms and communal spaces like restrooms and kitchens. Hostels are intended to be social places where visitors can engage with one another. Hostels have changed since they were first established in 1909 by German educator Richard Schirrmann to accommodate a wider range of visitors, including workers, students, and tourists from different backgrounds.

C. Transgender Identity and its Significance

An individual whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth is known as a transgender person. The internal perception of one's gender, which may or may not correspond with the expectations of society based on physical characteristics, is known as gender identity. In shared housing settings like dorms, where privacy, safety, and identity respect are occasionally jeopardized, transgender people frequently encounter major obstacles. It is essential to comprehend these difficulties while creating inclusive environments.

D. Role of Color Theory in Interior Design

In interior design, color theory is essential because it helps designers create environments that elicit the desired emotional reactions. It entails comprehending how colors interact and impact emotions. Green and blue hues, for instance, are soothing, while warmer hues like orange and red may enliven a room. Choosing a color scheme that works for transgender people and girls can encourage inclusivity, security, and relaxation.

II. REVIEW LITERATURE

CHOU SHU, GUNASAGARAN SUJATAVANI, ZAINAL ABIDIN SITI (2021) according to the paper presently Interior design is more associated producing and offering a beautiful area for their clients.

POYNER CHRISTOPHR & KJELLGREN RICHARD  (23 Oct 2018) This paper shares  stories from 20 LGBT+  people in Scotland, focusing on their homelessness and housing issues, not health.

DASARI TWINKLE & REDDY G. CHENNA (31 May 2018) according to the paper, compares "I Am Vidya", India's first transgender autobiography by Living Smile Vidya, and the life story of MANOBI BANDOPADHYAY, India's first transgender principal, showing their struggles and achievements.

TURPIN JOHN, (September 2007) A male-focused architectural narrative frequently obscures the achievements of female designers in the 20th century. The history of interior design is still little documented, despite the feminist movement's influence on reassessing women's responsibilities. This underrecognizes many of the accomplishments made by women and emphasizes the need for further recognition in this sector.

O'Connor Zena  (11 April 2011) Claims about color effects, like red energizing or blue calming, often lack strong evidence and depend on context, culture, and personal experiences. Reactions to colors vary widely and aren’t universal. Modern research shows color impacts are subtle, so it’s important to consider updated studies and individual differences in design decisions.

III. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR UNITY HAVEN

A. Issues Faced by Transgender Individuals in Hostels

When transgender people stay in conventional hostels, they frequently face a number of difficulties. These difficulties consist of: Lack of gender-neutral restrooms is one of the biggest issues transgender people encounter in traditional hostels. Given that these facilities are usually gender-segregated, transgender people may feel unsafe or uncomfortable in these settings, raising serious concerns about their safety. Additionally, other hostel visitors frequently treat transsexual inmates with hostility and intolerance. This conduct can make their stay more unpleasant by intensifying emotions of uneasiness, worry, and estrangement. Roommate interactions might also lead to further distress. Relationship tension might result from misunderstandings, disrespect for individual boundaries, or uneasiness brought on by gender identity discrepancies, all of which can increase emotional stress. Lastly, the lack of private areas in a lot of hostels adds to the sense of unease. Transgender people frequently feel frightened in these communal living settings if there are no designated spaces where they may escape and freely express themselves. This makes it even harder for them to unwind and flourish.

B. Importance of Providing a Safe Space for Transgender Individuals and Girls

Creating a welcoming and comfortable space for transgender women and girls is essential to advancing their wellbeing. Such folks can find a place of respect, safety, and support in a well-designed hostel. The various needs of different groups must be acknowledged, and areas must be designed to accommodate their privacy and comfort in order to create a happy, stress-free environment.

C. Goals of Unity Haven

Unity Haven aims to:

The goal of Unity Haven's design is to give transsexual people and girls a safe, quiet, and cozy place to live. The hostel's emphasis on privacy and safety will provide inhabitants with a sense of calm and security, enabling them to feel comfortable in their living space. The intention is to create a welcoming and inclusive community where healthy social interaction is promoted and individual boundaries are respected.

This strategy guarantees that each resident can interact with others while still feeling comfortable and unique. The setting will be created to make inhabitants feel comfortable in both public and private areas, giving them the opportunity to unwind and express themselves without worrying about criticism or discomfort. For Unity Haven to be a place where everyone can live with dignity and confidence, privacy and security must be balanced.

Conclusion

Unity Haven is a distinctive hostel that aims to establish a new benchmark for inclusivity in shared living by offering transgender people and girls a safe and friendly environment. This hostel offers soundproof rooms to ensure comfort and privacy, giving guests a peaceful, private area to unwind in peace. Additionally, gender-neutral restrooms are incorporated into the architecture to promote inclusivity and respect. A wide variety of residents find a tranquil, welcome atmosphere created by a calming, neutral color scheme. By catering to the specific needs of often-overlooked communities, Unity Haven fills a crucial gap in the market while promoting social responsibility. This thoughtful design fosters a strong sense of belonging and comfort, showing how inclusivity enhances residents\' experiences and supports a successful business model. Unity Haven is more than just a hostel; it’s a supportive, inclusive home that sets an inspiring example for future accommodations.

References

[1] CHOU, SHU, SUJATAVANI GUNASAGARAN2, SITI NORZAINI BINTI ZAINAL ABIDIN3(2021) A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE SUSTAINABLE INTERIOR DESIGN DEVELOPMENT IN TAIWAN: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology 265 – 278. [2] POYNER CHRISTOPHR & KJELLGREN RICHARD (23 Oct 2018) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer experiences of homelessness and identity: insecurity and home(o)normativity, International Journal of Housing Policy Volume 19, 2019 Pages 232-253. [3] DASARI TWINKLE & REDDY G. CHENNA (31 May 2018) transgender literature in India: a comparative study of I am vidya and a gift of goddess Lakshmi, International Journal of Research in Humanities, Vol. 6, Issue 5, May 2018, 359-366. [4] TURPIN JOHN, (September 2007) Journal of Interior Design, Volume 33, Issue 1.The History of Women in Interior Design: A Review of Literature First published: 02 June 2008. [5] Zena O\'Connor Colour psychology and colour therapy: Caveat emptor First published: 11 April 2011 Volume 36, Issue 3.

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Yasmeen Khan, Sucheta Nigam. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.