Design Challenge: Sheakley Center for Youth is an adaptive reuse project utilizing an existing 4-story vacant factory and re-purposing it as a new facility providing homeless youth with housing and social services.
Design Solution: The first floor houses the “Off the Streets” program which includes transitional housing, food service, and lounge space along with administrative facilities. Upper floors provide a combination of apartments and services for short term occupancy. 66 beds are provided in a combination of dormitory and apartment spaces.
Design Outcome: The existing board-formed concrete structure was structurally sound with minor deterioration. The refurbishing process corrected the flaws in the concrete. New replacement windows, new tower finishes, and exterior painting embraced the existing structure giving it an urban industrial feel. Large interior structural bays and clear heights allowed for a flexible floor plan layout, meeting Client programmatic requirements.