Kids Youth Center SalzburgLiefering project and POE Forsthuber

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 a Liefering Kids & Youth Center (KYC), future user participation in the planning process 19982000.

The Liefering project City 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, PROTECTION NETWORK, OPENNESS / SOCIAL DENSITY INDIVIDUALITY / VISTAS, MATERIALS The KYC has won four architecture awards in 2001 and 2002.

POE Youth Center KYC student POE project Salzburg University winter semester 2002/03 in seminar of the second author – participants Eva Mach, Marlene Rauter, Silvia Pixner, Sabine Enser, Luisa Aguiar, Alexandra Braunesberger, Elisabeth Lindenmair, Bettina Plöckinger 8 walkthrough observations on November 2002 afternoons (building use, age/gender, interactions) Interviews with 4 young users, 3 social workers, 5 KYC neighbors

POE Youth Center Walkthrough 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

POE Youth Center Spatial 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

POE Youth Center Interview results 2 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 Center 3 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 conclusions KYC Liefering used by 6>14 year olds. Offers compensatory activities esp. for girls <14. Room concept working well. Interage interaction, mostly playful. KYC valued by kids and social workers. Neighbors ambivalent.

Contact Thomas Forsthuber, Mag. arch. , Architect, Ernest Thun Str. 11, A-5020 Salzburg Phone+fax 0043 662 87 87 88 architekt. forsthuber@eunet. at Dr. Alexander G. Keul, Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Salzburg University, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg Phone+fax 0043 662 8044 5127 alexander. keul@sbg. ac. at