Solid Ground Supportive Housing

Solid Ground Supportive Housing Building’s asymmetrical rooms, open structure and bright colors are the ideal place for youth to create a home. A three-story unused masonry building was converted into the brilliantly functional space that now provides a safe harbor for 16 homeless teens in Humboldt Park and demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability. Limited sources of natural light create a luminous series of intimate spaces, from the private bedrooms to the welcoming social center of the house and the kitchen and dining table that overlook the private rear garden. The façade retains the integrity of the street while the interior is beautifully detailed with contemporary materials. Constrained by a small budget and a commercial space on a busy street, Landon Bone Baker Architects transformed every corner of the building into usable space. The basement became a computer room and multi-purpose space. The ground level houses offices and a common kitchen where residents can meet, get counseling, take classes or just hang out. The top two floors include 16 private bedrooms with customized beds designed to maximize space for desks, chairs and personal belongings.