Community Medical Clinic

More Than a Shelter: A Beacon of Hope for Homeless Youth

Outside In, a non-profit agency supporting street youth, evolved into a growing collection of borrowed buildings and needed a permanent home. The resulting 31,000 square foot building accommodates counseling, employment assistance, clinic, needle exchange program, meals, housing and administrative programs.

The design process actively involved staff, volunteers, street youth, and the local community. They aimed for a design that remained authentic to their original, non-institutional spirit, while being welcoming, dignified, flexible for future needs, and ensuring safety and comfort for the youth.

The project was the winner of multiple American Institute of Architects awards and in 2016 was featured in the exhibit “By the people” at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum.