PROJECT St. Elizabeths Shelter
ARCHITECT Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners
LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  1/24/2022
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Krutika Shah, AIA NCARB, LEED BD+C; Michael A. Wiencek, FAIA; Carl Skooglund, AIA; Saakshi Terway, Assoc AIA; Gia Pontes; Scott Matties, AIA LEED BD+C; Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA LEED BD+C
OWNER/CLIENT District of Columbia – Department of General Services
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Coakley & Williams and Blue Skye Construction
PHOTOGRAPHER  Jeffrey Sauers
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Wiles Mensch Corporation
CIVIL ENGINEER Wiles Mensch Corporation
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Tadjer-Cohen-Edelson Associates
MECHANICAL ENGINEER WB Engineers + Consultants
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WB Engineers + Consultants
CONSULTANT Sustainable Building Partners
CONSULTANT BMore Consulting
CONSULTANT Nyikos Associates Inc
CONSULTANT Koffel Associates Inc
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
“Every person deserves to have a chance to get back on their feet, to have the services they need, and to have the city support that transformation, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do here“ DC Mayor.

With a mission to provide an empowering future for the homeless of DC, the St. Elizabeth’s Shelter design and construction team set out to transform the shelter system to ensure that any person experiencing a housing crisis has a safe, dignified, and supportive place to get back on their feet. Nestled in the historic St. Elizabeth’s historic campus, this novel project is the first-of-its kind in Washington DC. It is designed to fit five discrete programs serving those experiencing homelessness, including a daytime service center, respite care and health clinic, and dormitories (396 beds) dedicated to those needing overnight “low-barrier” stays, long term members of the workforce, seniors, and the medically frail. Amenities that allow for self-care and social welfare are provided under the same roof such as laundry, showers, gender neutral restrooms, case consultation, dining, salon, teaching kitchen, computer lab, and a donated clothes boutique. The shelter will instill a sense of worth, positively impact lives, and set a new standard of care for those experiencing homelessness, all while providing superior flexibility and opportunity for growth. Both in concept and in execution, this project will serve as a “Beacon of Hope” in its community and a model for shelters and facilities around the country.

PLACE OF DIGNITY – The shelter is a welcoming building, easily identifiable at all times of the day or night. It has an intuitive circulation system so that new and existing users will find accessing the facility unintimidating and hospitable.

PLACE THAT HONORS HISTORY- The exterior aesthetics of the building reflects the amalgamation of both histories and futures of the St. Elizabeth campus: an ode to the historic red brick at the prominently lit stair towers with high performance panels signifies the “Beacon of Hope” while honoring the legacy of the campus.

PLACE THAT IS SAFE AND COMFORTABLE- The building is divided into three separate wings by dormitory function for three diverse populations, all connected at the entry level for common amenities while addressing the need for high level security and vandal resistant building products.

PLACE THAT IS SUSTAINABLE- The project is LEED Gold certified and sets the standard for future shelters by encouraging designers to create a truly sustainable architecture that meets the current programmatic needs, enhances occupant wellness, and offers flexibility for future use.

PLACE WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS- While the implementation of unique functions in the building is the first of its kind, it is intended to serve as a model for future projects serving those experiencing homelessness through inclusive and equitable design strategies.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

PV AWARD: “What is not to love about the community and program of this project? The depth and community resilience considerations, as well as sustainability are commendable. This was an easy selection for the jury and shows that even architecture that has to do a lot with a little can rise to the occasion. We are honored to bestow the 2023 PV Award to St. Elizabeths Shelter and encourage more of these community infrastructure projects that serve a critical role in building community.” –Jeffrey Huber

MERIT: “This project, located on a historic site with a deep rich history, stood out for many reasons. First, the level of community engagement is significant and commendable. The use of local artists as collaborators in the design process provides real community buy-in and credibility, not to mention meaningful social equity. The idea of the project serving as a beacon of hope, carries through in both literal and figurative ways. The highlighted stair towers, sensitivity to user populations and careful placement of key programmatic elements all help to bolster this major central idea. [NP] This project tackles very difficult societal ills in a cohesive, well thought out way. It merges and orchestrates a delicate balance of some of our most vulnerable user groups in a facility that seems to understand the importance of public/private and needed interactions/scheduled solitude. It is a beautiful transformation that works both functionally and aesthetically.” –Anson Stuart

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. St. Elizabeths Shelter, PC: CPI Productions
2. St. Elizabeths Shelter - Exterior, PC: CPI Productions
3. St. Elizabeths Shelter - Check in and Security, PC: CPI Productions
4. Typical Dormitory Floor with Lounge, PC: CPI Productions
5. Typical Private sleeping areas for worforce residents, PC: CPI Productions
6. Free hair cutting and grooming salon, PC: CPI Productions
7. Multipurpose room with overflow hypothermia bed capabilities, PC: CPI Productions
8. Dining room and teaching kitchen