Kids & Youth Center Salzburg-Liefering –

project and POE

Forsthuber, T., Architect, Salzburg &

Keul, A.G., Salzburg University

The Liefering project

Salzburg-Liefering – a poor district, 13.7% welfare rate (Salzburg 4.4%), one out of three under 19 years, insufficient living space, „street corner scenario“ – kids sitting on supermarkt trolleys, neighbors calling the police etc.

Private fundraising Association to create aLiefering Kids & Youth Center (KYC), future user participation in the planning process 1998-2000.

The Liefering projectCity authorities made available 1043 sqm „playground“ (territory of the homeless) in the central residential area.

Architectural concept of KYC (T.Forsthuber, C.Scheithauer): Cubage 3144 cbm, 720 sqm floor area, built-up area 530 sqm; guidelines:TRANSFORMATION / SHOVEL, PROTECTIONNETWORK, OPENNESS / SOCIAL DENSITYINDIVIDUALITY / VISTAS, MATERIALS

The KYC has won four architecture awardsin 2001 and 2002.

POE Youth CenterKYC student POE project Salzburg Universitywinter semester 2002/03 in seminar of thesecond author – participants Eva Mach,Marlene Rauter, Silvia Pixner, Sabine Enser, Luisa Aguiar, Alexandra Braunesberger,Elisabeth Lindenmair, Bettina Plöckinger8 walkthrough observations on November2002 afternoons (building use, age/gender,interactions)Interviews with 4 young users, 3 socialworkers, 5 KYC neighbors

POE Youth CenterWalkthrough observation results• 131 persons counted inhouse during the

walkthroughs, i.e.16.4 per observation. • Age distribution: 15% 6<10 years, 37%

10<14 years, 48% 14 years and over, signalling a high demand by juveniles.

• Gender distribution (see next page) shows high female participation until 14 years, when it drops almost to zero.

• All visitors except some bystanders and PC users interacted socially, often by play.

POE Youth Center

6<10 yrs10<14 yrs

14- yrs

male

female0

20

40

60

80

100

Gender and age % POE

POE Youth CenterSpatial distribution of the visitors• Basement used by 73 persons, i.e. 9.1 persons per observation.• First Floor used by 58 persons, i.e. 7.3 persons per observation.• Use statistics: age stratification BM-FF and intense use of climbing wall by girls under 10.• Weather did not encourage outdoor use in front and on roof of KYC.

POE Youth Center

BM climbing wallBM kids room

BM "bar"BM junior rooms

BM other roomFF kids room

FF junior roomFF social worker

FF outside bldg

0

10

20

30

Room use total POE

male 6<10

female 6<10

male 10<14

female 10<14

male 14-

female 14-

POE Youth CenterInterview results2 children, 2 juveniles• All KYC attention via siblings/friends.• KYC visitors <14 have social contacts with

other age groups and gender.• Favorite of younger is climbing wall, older

prefer table-tennis or internet.• KYC called exciting, funny.• Minor social tensions reported between

<12 and >14.• All parents at home knew where kids are.

POE Youth Center3 social workers• First contact via local schools, word of

mouth. • Girls‘ group once a week in a special room. • Except „computer clique“, all other visitors

move throughout KYC.• Personnel satisfied with spatial situation, its

transparency and individuality, its challenge.• Only minor damages reported, no vandalism.• No major social problems, „basic

aggression“ noticeable. • Contacts with parents established, neighbor

contacts first tense, gradually improved.

5 neighbors (3 dwellers, 2 local business)

• 4 irritated („dead“, „cold“, „concrete complex“), one positive about building

• All 5 never entered building, fantasies, sceptical about what is going on there

• 3 have children, would not like them to enter KYC

• 3 saw no positive social change, 2 said basic KYC idea was OK, to do something for the children

POE conclusionsKYC Liefering used by 6>14 year olds.Offers compensatory activities esp. for girls<14. Room concept working well. Interageinteraction, mostly playful. KYC valued bykids and social workers. Neighbors

ambivalent.

ContactThomas Forsthuber, Mag.arch.,Architect, Ernest Thun Str.11, A-5020

SalzburgPhone+fax 0043 662 87 87 88architekt.forsthuber@eunet.at

Dr.Alexander G. Keul, Associate Professor,Psychology Department, Salzburg University,Hellbrunnerstr.34, A-5020 SalzburgPhone+fax 0043 662 8044 5127alexander.keul@sbg.ac.at