City Mission - Family Life Center

Detroit, Michigan

Architectural

Story

City Mission is a faith-based non-profit organization started for the purpose of meeting the educational, physical, and spiritual needs of the children in NW Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood. The new 5,000 square foot Family Life Center houses the City Mission offices, as well as classrooms, tutoring spaces, a computer lab, and commons area. The building had to be secured from the adjacent public ways for the safety of persons and property, yet inviting and open to uplift the spirit of the occupants. The design solution rings the classrooms and lab area around a high, central open space with clerestory windows that allow natural light to penetrate deep into all sides of the building. The children's activity room is located in a transparent wing of the building facing a small, inner courtyard and the primary entrance, which are located within the security perimeter. While the majority of the building perimeter is brick and glass block, the courtyard and glass entrance allow the building to feel open and light. The building's scale and materials reflect the neighborhood's homes and businesses. "From the beginning, the building was designed with our operations needs clearly understood. It was also designed so that it was 'volunteer friendly,' which allowed us to reduce costs. The working relationship was excellent. Our Project Architect was highly responsive, usually returning calls the same day and availing himself in any way possible to ensure the project's success. It was a good project that went surprisingly smoothly, on budget, and completed on time." Jamail Aikens (Founder & Director)

Facts

  • Title: City mission - family life center
  • Location: Detroit, michigan
  • Postal code: 48223
  • Phase: Complete


Project Identification Number:

PP-CST-FFF6-A85C-8B2B-0483-0


Status: Completed


Tags

  • education
  • non-profits


Project Credits:

John Tagle Associates

Architectural


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