1. Alcohol Research Group Post-Graduate Seminar Presentation The Architecture of Recovery: A Case Study in Architecture for Sober Living Houses (SLH) Prepared for SLH Community Impact Study Doug Polcin, Ed.D., Principal Investigator February 21, 2012 Friedner D. Wittman, Ph.D., M.Arch. Babette Jee, Architect CLEW Associates Berkeley, CA CLEW Associates Berkeley California 1

2. Sober Living Architecture Sober Living Houses (SLH) SLH Mission: Support residents’ personal recovery Sober living day-to-day with peers Positive participation in community Observe house rules, participate in AA “The Setting is the Service” (Ken Schonlau, CLARE) A well-designed and well-managed SLH promotes recovery A poorly-designed and poorly-managed SLH impedes recovery Design and management are interdependent Environmental design components of an SLH Location (neighborhood & surrounding community) Facilities (buildings, or socio-physical settings) CLEW Associates Berkeley California 2

3. Sober Living Architecture SLH Environmental Design Components Location Residential character (homelike feel) Appearance in relation to other houses in neighborhood Safe and quiet area Proximity to jobs and services Facility Spatial organization (size and configuration) Furnishings and decor Upkeep and maintenance Expectations for use of space CLEW Associates Berkeley California 3

4. Sober Living Architecture Environmental Patterns Environmental Patterns use architecture to realize CSTL vision for its SLH mission Patterns link purpose to function thru “if- then” statements at several levels CSTL director creates (discovers, invents) environmental patterns for CSTL needs Sides below summarize key patterns for Phase I and Phase II facilities (C. Alexander, S. Ishikawa, M. Silverstein, Timeless Way of Being, Oxford Univ Press, 1977) CLEW Associates Berkeley California 4

5. Sober Living Architecture Environmental Patterns CLEW Associates Berkeley California 5

6. Sober Living Architecture CSTL Case Study Clean and Sober Transition Living, Fair Oaks, California, acquires SLH facilities in quiet single-family neighborhoods to create a place where residents practice sober living skills and make community contacts. CLEW Associates Berkeley California 6

7. Sober Living Architecture CSTL – Overview Origin and development Founded by current director early in his own recovery Has grown from single house to peer- operated community complex Growth seeks to build both the person and community connections CSTL Facility complex Phase I – Adult Recovery Maintenance Facility (67 beds in five buildings) Phase II – 10 Satellite Houses (SLHs) CLEW Associates Berkeley California 7

8. Sober Living Architecture Phase I - Neighborhood Sober living residences protected by Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 FHA Act opens path to safe, high-quality residential neighborhoods Located with access to transportation, jobs and services CLEW Associates Berkeley California 8

9. Sober Living Architecture Phase I – Facilities First sober living residence did not thrive in isolation Buffered siting along Madison provides key development opportunity Madison Avenue brings together Phase I residents, Phase II, visitors House of Beginnings = home base & social heart for CSTL participants CLEW Associates Berkeley California 9

10. Sober Living Architecture House of Beginnings – Home Base & Social Heart Architecture facilitates the recovery experience EVIRONMENTAL PATTERNS Daily meetings in large room Instant & constant socializing (“15 minutes”) Blended kitchen & dining No corridors to hamper flow Bedrooms next to social area Flow from neighboring houses Easy indoor-outdoor (rear yard) Corner office is a mini-hub Weekly Community Meetings CLEW Associates Berkeley California 10

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12. Sober Living Architecture Phase I residence – Sleeping Arrangements Architecture facilitates respect for the person EVIRONMENTAL PATTERNS Bedrooms are for sleeping only (monthly agreement, no lease) Two-bed rooms for everyone (college dorm style) No bunk beds (underscore dignity & respect possessions) Security for women Increase in status and progress in Phase I is associated with use of time, not one’s room CLEW Associates Berkeley California 12

13. Sober Living Architecture CSTL – Phase II Overview Neighborhoods 10 houses in separate neighborhoods Neighborhoods near Phase I (“Octopus”) Safe and quiet streets Easy access to shopping, activities & jobs SLH “Satellite” Facilities Single-family homes Conventional design Indefinite-term lease Independent living in shared setting (college apartment) CLEW Associates Berkeley California 13

14. Sober Living Architecture Phase II SLH residences – Neighborhood Neighborly Architecture E NVIRONMENTAL PATTERNS Similar to others on street Quiet, unobtrusive neighbor (control noise, trash) Safe & transparent (no fences or barriers) Contributes to neighborhood (attractive appearance) Cars & equipment out of site (deep back yards, car parking) Accessible to neighbors (Friendly greetings, OK to knock) Respond at once to concerns (“have you been harmed?) CLEW Associates Berkeley California 14

15. Sober Living Architecture Phase II residences – Facilities Architecture for Responsible Living ENVIRONMENTAL PATTERNS Single bed room for each resident (college apartment) Shared social & dining area House manager = chief peer Accountable conduct Accountable care of house Linkage to CSTL community Monthly rent (self- financing) Flexible time in residence Everyday surveillance Respond at once to problems CLEW Associates Berkeley California 15