| Architect’s Statement: In 2007, The Salvation Army initiated a long-term campaign to construct a new multipurpose shelter facility, funded primarily through private donations. Replacing their undersized and outdated structure in downtown Raleigh, the Judy D. Zelnak Center of Hope is an adaptive reuse of the Edwards & Broughton Printing Company building, originally constructed in 1956. The industrial steel, concrete and masonry building appealed to project designers and stakeholders immediately, as it had already stood intact for over 50 years without any significant improvements or damage.The organizational concept for the project initially evolved around grouping four primary functional themes, inherent to The Salvation Army’s mission & principles:Receive ” Welcome and embrace all those in need; offer hope in the face of despairNourish ” Sustain and nurture the body and spiritShelter ” Provide refuge and sanctuary from harm, both physical and emotionalServe ” Support residents and the community through counseling, education and outreachSituated in a primary location near transit and major arteries into downtown and north Raleigh, the existing building was restored with significant cost savings became the primary structural steel frame and original roof decking were able to be preserved. The existing roof structure was shored and reinforced where new rooftop mechanical equipment was added, and wherever structural deficiencies were identified, they were analyzed and brought into compliance with modern-day codes. With an exterior skin consisting largely of non-combustible masonry cavity wall construction, the envelope is inherently resistant to damage from moisture, fire, insects and wind. Due to The Salvation Army’s dependence on donations to operate and maintain its facilities, the design team quickly identified the need for simple, durable interior materials. For example, painted, exposed steel structure and stained concrete flooring exist throughout much of the renovated construction. As a conscious design decision, the dialogue between the original building components and the new intervention is readily apparent via this straightforward, honest treatment of materials. The open interior structural frame allows for future flexibility, ensuring that the facility can accommodate changing needs throughout its life span. The public portions of the building, which have exposure to heavily-trafficked Capital Boulevard on the south and east sides, convey open, light-filled and extroverted qualities. Housing the Receive, Nourish and Serve components, the contextual responses at these areas reflect The Salvation Army’s mission of giving hope. Serving as a metaphor in this regard, the building is designed to express a welcoming feeling to all those who are merely passing by, and to those who are actually entering its doors to obtain help and support. A beacon of light and hope is created by the voluminous, two-story transparent corner lobby, the prominent red cross, constructed of structural steel and framed by white metal panels, and the expansive ribbon-style fenestration. These elements hearken back to the building’s original industrial character, while greeting the bustling urban corridor with the outward energy and rich symbolism of its new tenants and community.The private portions of the existing building, which are oriented toward an industrial service access road to the west and railroad tracks to the north, convey a much more solid, protected and introverted quality. Primarily containing the Shelter components of the program, the considerations for security and defensibility were paramount. By locating these functions away from the public right-of-way, the design of the exterior skin could respond to the surrounding context in a more appropriate, minimalistic way. Openings are limited to those needed for egress, as well as clerestory windows that provide natural light, while also maintaining a safe and secure refuge. Laminated glass was also important at these locations due to the adjacent rail line, and the need for noise control. Nearly tripling the previous shelter’s capacity, the Center of Hope provides housing for up to 92 residents and guests, in both long-term and emergency overnight quarters. A total of ten sleeping rooms each accommodate multiple families of women and children in need of a safe place to live. Spatial efficiency is also achieved through shared bathroom facilities and common living, community dining and laundry areas, thereby allowing the facility to house the maximum capacity of transient and non-transient occupants permitted by the local zoning ordinances. In order to offer comprehensive physical, social, spiritual and economic assistance to populations who might not otherwise have access, the project contains numerous support functions for internal residents and the Raleigh / Wake County community-at-large: :A soup kitchen, capable of seating up to 120 persons at a time:Donations received and stored onsite : Free dental clinic:Secure recreation and play areas, both indoor and outdoor:Social caseworkers and crisis management staff :Educational / multi-purpose space:A walk-in chapel LEED v2009 certified, The Center of Hope is designed and constructed to be energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. The decision to purchase a previously developed site with an existing building, adaptable to The Salvation Army’s needs, allowed for a drastic reduction in the amount of embodied energy required to build the project when compared to new construction. Reusing much of the structure and envelope, and salvaging brick veneer where it was removed to create new openings, significantly reduced the energy use associated with demolition and disposal of construction waste, as well as reducing the environmental impacts in terms of new material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation. When specifying new construction elements, every practical attempt was made to employ regional materials, as well as those containing highly recycled content. The location of the facility is also significant in terms of sustainability, with the proximity to multiple public transit lines and with the addition of a bus stop directly outside the facility.In addition to the simple cost savings and the macro view of reducing the energy load within the overall environment, the micro considerations of the residents were tantamount to the mission of The Salvation Army. The Center of Hope is a safe haven in every sense of the word. Special attention was paid to occupant health, both during construction and upon completion. MERV 8 air filters were used during construction, while MERV 13 air filters were installed after construction was complete to ensure a better indoor environmental quality. Special care was also taken to mitigate and control indoor chemicals and pollution via walk-off mats, low emitting carpets, and low emitting sealants, paints, adhesives and coatings. Healthy living within is just as important as the security provided by the exterior walls.The Center of Hope not only benefits the community by providing hope and refuge to local populations in need, but also by revitalizing a vacant building at the gateway to the city. Serving as a metaphor, the building reflects The Salvation Army’s mission of “doing the most good,†and welcomes people with the services and support they need to transform their lives. |
