The new home for CHASS, the Community Health and Social Services organization has been developed to provide an expansion to existing programs, including primary and specialty medical care, for the surrounding Southwest Detroit community. Located on Fort Street , the new facility will serve as an identifiable community asset in contrast to the numerous adjacent austere commercial buildings.  An area space known as “The Healing Garden” is designed to serve as a common waiting and children’s play area.  In addition, this space can easily accommodate various community meetings and activities. 

        The building will feature a durable, maintenance free exterior.  This protective exterior punctuated with individual windows provides natural light and visibility towards the sky while isolating the functions from the street thereby maintaining privacy and security. The East façade is highlighted by an 18’ x 18’ mosaic heritage mural which would be created and donated by a local artist and named in the honor of a gracious facility patron. This element would be included within a series of donor opportunities required to supplement the construction cost.

        The building and site have been integrated along with other sustainable components to reduce long tern maintenance and operational costs of the facility. In effort to nourish and protect the environment, the center will function as an environmentally responsible facility with LEED silver certification. Such features will include the use of a vegetative “green” roof over the building area on each side of the “ Healing Garden ,” which will provide insulation to combat heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. This roof will additionally reduce storm water runoff thereby reducing the expense of underground utility cost while providing a wonderful habitat for wildlife. The facility will also utilize natural light and lighting sensors to significantly reduce the daily demand for electricity.

        This facility has been planned and designed to transcend the basic needs of enclosure and function to become an integral nucleus of dignified healing, service and enlightenment to the community.