What began as transforming a conference room into a room for personal solitude, reflection, and prayer turned into a redesign of 3 other shared community spaces within this educational residential recovery center. One multipurpose space needed to have the adaptability to serve as both a comfortable community lounge as well as a place to host group study and educational sessions. Another very stark room near the front entrance was simply called the “intake room” where people completed initial paperwork and held introductory interviews, but the space was also being used for family visits and was lacking the comfort and warmth needed to help calm nervous children and adults as they reunite. The final space was the dining area which also served as the largest community gathering space in the facility and had lots of opportunity to add visual reminders of the center’s goals, purpose, and mission; as well as brighten up the corner lounge area.

“We are delighted with the results of your creativity and ardent efforts. The [Center] certainly has more intentional and welcoming spaces because of this project. Your partnership is deeply appreciated and will help cultivate the transformation of many [residents] both now and in the coming years.” -Executive Director, Residential Recovery Center

Kim’s Design Notes: This was a particularly meaningful project, as the people living in this facility are literally rebuilding their lives. Hearing their stories and learning more about the amazing work they are doing to recover from traumatic histories and discover their potential and passions was incredibly inspiring. The facility felt very institutional before I arrived and it was a joy to add warmth and energy to reflect what was happening in the lives of the residents and to surround them with reminders of the positive trajectory their hard work was leading them toward.