Inspirational Design
Helping New Haven's Homeless Community.
As part of the Jim Vlock Building Project, students at the Yale School of Architecture partnered with Columbus House to build a home to help combat homelessness in New Haven. Find out how Pella windows and doors helped achieve the home's inspiring design.
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The Goal: End Homelessness
Columbus House, a local non-profit that has been serving the community for 35 years has made it their mission to end homelessness in their community. They are passionate about helping those who are currently homeless or at risk for becoming homeless access the services and tools they need to find housing.
A Partnership to Build Homes
Their answers, a sense of ownership and a balance of public and private space, became the main drivers of the project. The students collaborated in small groups on several designs and then selected one to build. After constructing much of the home in a warehouse, the students spent the summer building the home and adding finishing touches.
Selecting Products for Contemporary Design
Several small windows were added to the home to bring in natural light while providing privacy that the residents desire. A few big, beautiful windows with a lot of glass and stylish hardware make the small spaces feel bigger and helped students balance the sense of public and private space in the home.
To keep with the clean lines of the home and maximize floor space, the students selected wood sliding patio doors for the main living areas of the home. The patio doors feature shades-between-the-glass that provide more privacy for the residents and helps protect the shades from dust and damage.
