We designed and built a shelter for the Tundra Women’s Coalition with especial focus on the personal safety of its occupants
For Tundra Women’s Coalition, the safety and personal comfort of their clients is paramount. When the coalition asked us to refine previous programming and concept designs for the proposed domestic violence shelter, our goals were clear: reduce the overall square footage of the proposed building to approximately 11,135 square feet and reduce the project cost to meet the budget without compromising the safety of the shelter’s occupants in mind.
We did just that. Due to funding and site restraints, the original two-story design became a one-story design. The change did not compromise the integrity of the project, however. We met the 6.4 million budget and the facility was constructed ahead of schedule.
Our goal to design a shelter cognizant of the coalition’s clientele was realized beautifully—we provided long rectilinear windows to allow natural daylight, which were placed either at a high or covered with a frosted film in an organic pattern to conceal the identity of occupants. We also incorporated an outdoor play deck that sits on the same elevated structural piling system directly accessible from the children’s play area. This feature encourages fun while still offering security and supervision. The result? A safe space for women in the community delivered ahead of schedule.
At a Glance
- Offices
Dean Syta, Senior Principal
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