Salt Lake City Houseless Resource Centers
The Salt Lake Homeless Resource Centers provide comprehensive and dignified services for houseless individuals in the community.
Project Details
Location
South Salt Lake, UT
Clients
Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, & Shelter the Homeless
Year Completed
2019
Project Size
90,000 sq. ft.
Sustainability
The project was designed to achieve Utah Sustainable Building Certification with an emphasis on energy efficiency and a tightly designed and detailed building envelope.
Providing Comprehensive Services for the Houseless
Three houseless resource centers were designed for various sites in the metro area through a partnership among Salt Lake City, the County, and the nonprofit organization Shelter the Homeless. They enlisted Holst to advise on the program and design of two shelters and to design the third in collaboration with the local firm AJC Architects.
Designed for Comfort
In the main circulation space, the underside of the building envelope’s metal wrapper is lined with wood with acoustic slats for noise attenuation. Painted metal railings visually correspond to the exterior and interior materials.
Supporting the Community with Purposeful Design
The South Salt Lake Homeless Resource Center will provide services and temporary shelter to 300 men daily. The design approach centers on a thoughtful, controlled progression from intake to various service locations. The spacious circulation spine, wrapped in folded metal that contrasts with the brick structure on the exterior, is easily navigable, open, and welcoming.
Open But Secure
A central grand stair serves as the main floor-to-floor circulation and supports safety and security by enabling clear visibility from the front desk.
A Safe & Sustainable Refuge
The ground floor program is focused on daytime uses, including a large dining hall, commercial kitchen, medical clinic, and a secure central courtyard with southern exposure. A large grand stair leads occupants to the second-floor spaces, including life skills training rooms, a community room, administrative spaces, and bunkroom pods. Public spaces, like the community room, are expressed on the façade and present a welcoming face to the street. Administrative spaces converge at the rear of the first floor. Clerestory windows and skylights bring light into the bunkroom pods on the second floor while maintaining privacy. Special populations and guests in crisis have separate, designated sleeping areas.
Designed for Respite
A secure courtyard provides access to nature.
