BETHANY PLACE

Belleville, IL

Client
Bethany Place

Recognition
Chicago AIA Merit Award
Art Institute of Chicago, Alternative Housing Exhibition
St. Louis AIA Honor Award
Dwell Magazine

Role
Design Principal in Charge
Rubiostudio+Durham

Bethany Place is a non-profit organization that provides temporary housing, health services, and outreach programs for the underprivileged and homeless living with HIV. The budget was very constrained, however the founders discovered a series of de-commissioned military Quonset huts that were relocated from a local air force base to this site in Belleville, Illinois. The Quonset huts provided unique design challenges especially in meeting current codes and incorporating the appropriate systems and infrastructure for a facility that services the poor. At the same, these old structures revealed a quite simple and delightful means in which to meet the program requirements and provide an appropriate and inspiring space. Programming is divided among the three huts and the result is a series of open, light-filled spaces.