Page 72 - Summer_2019

ArchDC Summer 2019.qxp_Spring 2019 5/22/19 3:02 PM Page 70

The central space, with benches facing into the TV lounge.

humble setting: dark and with no direct street presence. The available from the fact that they were in a basement. In doing so, they drew
space, totaling about 7,000 square feet, was highly irregular in inspiration from domestic and neighborhood environments. “Our
plan, comprising two distinct sections connected by a narrow big idea was that it should be like coming into a house, then entering
hallway. It also contained outdated mechanical systems that into a courtyard or community garden, with supporting spaces
would require a complete overhaul. surrounding the community garden,” explained Moya, whose firm
“Our main goal from the beginning was to create an oasis in the handled not only the interior architecture, but also furniture and
jungle of downtown DC—a place where the center’s clients would fixture selection, as well as graphics and wayfinding.
feel welcome and at home,” said Paola Moya, CEO and founder of The client experience begins in a compact but cheerful lobby,
Moya Design Partners, which oversaw the transformation of the enlivened by a neon sign and large-scale images of plants on the
space. Not surprisingly, the budget was tight, and much of the wall behind the reception desk. A curving hallway leads to a dense
money inevitably went toward mechanical and other upgrades that corner that includes the showers, exam rooms, and a barbershop
would be invisible to most visitors. At the same time, the program niche where clients can get help with a variety of personal grooming
for the DDSC was ambitious, including showers for men, women, needs. From there, clients may proceed into the “community garden,”
and people of other genders; self-service laundry facilities; medical a surprisingly open and spacious area where they may eat, watch
examination rooms; a kitchen; computer stations; and offices for television, or use computers. The kitchen, laundry room, offices,
social workers and other staff. Pathways to Housing DC, an and a conference room line the edges of the airy central space.
organization dedicated to moving homeless people into housing That virtual garden is the signature element of the center, and
quickly as a first step toward complete reintegration into society, the designers worked hard to make it feel comfortable and even
needed several stations for meetings with clients. exhilarating. Much of the space is occupied by a series of small,
The designers set out to rationalize the convoluted space square tables with vivid blue chairs, where clients may eat, read,
while minimizing its institutional qualities—and distracting clients play chess, or chat. At one end of the room are several benches—

70 DESIGNING FOR DIGNITY