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Photography: Charles Davis Smith, FAIA
The Bridge - Dallas Homeless Assistance Center
Dallas, TX

The Bridge is Dallas' homeless assistance center serving the city’s chronic and newly homeless population of more than 6,000 individuals.  Situated on the edge of downtown and the city's developing Emerald Bracelet (Parks Master Plan), the center is open 24 hours daily, 365 days a year with comprehensive services including men’s and women’s dormitories, physical/mental health facilities, administration, community, legal and counseling offices, laundry, lockers, postal center, women’s services, library, training and education, resident/non-resident dining, and an animal shelter.

 

Located on a 3.41 acre site, the project's central themes are Sanctuary, Light and Sustainability.  Facing downtown, the translucent exterior fills the dormitories with abundant natural light by day, and illuminated at night, serves as a beacon of light and hope to the City's homeless.  The center encircles outdoor courtyards, reinforcing community while creating security for the surrounding neighborhood.  An existing warehouse was converted into an outdoor sleeping pavilion.  The dining pavilion, with a vegetative roof, is shared by all clients, becoming the focal point of the project.  Built for just over $200/SF, the project incorporates public art, numerous sustainable strategies, including a comprehensive water management system, and has a USGB/LEED Silver Rating.

San Antonio AIA, Divine Detail Award, 2008

AIA, Special Housing Award, 2009

AIA, HUD Secretarys Community Informed Design Award, 2009

CLIDE, Award for Special Development, 2009

Chicago Athenaeum,

2009 American Architect Award

Environmental Design + Construction,

Excellence in Design Award, 2009

IIDA Design Excellence Awards  Honorable Mention in the Government Category, 2009

Topping Out Awards, Top 10 Projects, 2010

International Rebranding Homelessness Competition

(exhibited at the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa),

Best Architectural Entry

San Antonio AIA, Honor Award, 2010 

San Antonio AIA, Commendation of Sustainability Award, 2010 

Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, Gold Medal, 2011

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