Part of the Solution
Bronx, NY
a community-based organization serving people in need
Spacesmith designed a new home for this non-profit that serves people in need by providing food, clothing, counseling, and other supportive services. The building includes a full service kitchen and dining area, food pantry, counseling offices, a clothing exchange, showers, a barber shop, and medical suites. Part of the Solution (POTS) provides the homeless and working poor with meals, clothing, counseling, and other supportive services. POTS purchased a 15,000 sf building adjacent to its original home to expand its mission.
The primary concern of the design was to instill patrons with a sense of dignity and belonging. To that end, the concept of attending to the body, spirit, and mind was translated into the physical arrangement of floors with functions for hygiene, food service, and counseling support.
Spacesmith worked with the existing footprint. The new façade is a contemporary, artful composition with horizontal elements that act as a canopy, support signage, and signal the location of the entrance. The bottom floor holds medical suites containing exam rooms and dental operatories. There are also showers, a barber shop, and clothing program. The main floor houses the kitchen and dining area, the heart and soul of the non-profit. The top floor offers employment and legal services, as well as after school tutoring and classes for adults.
Throughout the project we found opportunities to create an empowering, welcoming environment. Staircases now have views and natural light. Public areas are dotted with inspiring words. Exposed brick, concrete floors, and reclaimed wood materials lend a reassuring “down to earth” feel to the building.
“Part of the Solution (POTS) models itself as a ‘one-stop shop’ for New Yorkers in poverty. When POTS was exploring various expansion options that would suit the increasing needs of the surrounding community we leaned heavily on Spacesmith as our architects and designers to thoughtfully integrate the breadth of our diverse programming into a single space. Spacesmith was also able to translate our organizational values of dignity, hospitality, respect and empowerment into the design of the space. At the end of the day, POTS has a well-designed, bright, and welcoming space that allows the organization to effectively the meet the diverse needs of clients in a dignified and hospitable way. ”