Three floors of the wooden building were designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects and renovated to include "The Crib" a night shelter for young adults aged 18-24, a service kitchen, dining room, administrative offices, meeting rooms and multi-functional programming space for social services
The Night Mistry. A youth-friendly place to instill confidence
Designed as a refuge and place of recovery, The Night Ministry's new location offers an oasis of safety and independence for young adults facing adversity. The new headquarters is located in the "Mural Building" a prominent industrial building known for its large murals that cover the facades overlooking a busy Chicago street
On the north side of the building, a former loading dock is transformed into an entrance protected from the busy street. Great emotional importance is placed on the choice of glass doors used as elements to build trust by allowing guests to glimpse inside before entering, further alleviating any feelings of stress and helplessness that may be endemic to their situations
The meeting rooms and private offices face the street and park, filtering natural light through the interior windows of the central multi-purpose room/dining room. Quieter spaces, such as bedrooms, showers and restrooms, are located near the back to maximize privacy. A small glass workspace was then designed for a security staff member to easily monitor both the sleeping and dining areas in a non-intrusive manner
The second and third floors are the new administrative headquarters for The Night Ministry , where employees work together in open offices connected by a new central staircase. For the first time since its creation, all employees and volunteers can work and meet under one roof, significantly improving the organizational culture, connection and quality of their services
Gallery
