Since the construction of the original facility in 1991, demographic shifts had dramatically increased the need for shelter in the DeKalb County community. More families were in need of temporary housing and people were often turned away due to capacity. The layout of the existing emergency facility was not designed with the needs of families with children in mind and simply did not have sufficient beds to meet demand. Sharp Architects, Inc. successfully navigated their client through the Special Use Permit process with the City of DeKalb to allow for 30 additional emergency residents at the shelter. The expansion of Hope Haven Shelter focused on creating a new separate space for the mens’ emergency shelter and re-vamping the existing space for the family emergency shelter. The site design provides for additional parking, a basketball court, and patio space for both the men’s & women’s facilities as well as the relocation of the children’s play equipment into a fabulous playground. The addition features space for 30 additional beds in the mens’ dormitory, dining, classroom, and staff offices. Space within the existing building was renovated to create an indoor playroom and a family bathroom for children too small for showering. A new color palette was developed for both the addition and the existing building. New wood-look, no wax, and resilient flooring replaced VCT throughout the building and provided for a dramatic change for all residents in the building.
Client: Hope Haven of DeKalb County, Inc.
Project Size: 4,330 SQ. FT.
Completed: 2011
