Grace Place for Children and Families

Main entry breezeway.

Grace Place is an independent Neighborhood School and Community Center focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through tutoring, literacy programs and the teaching of life skills to children and families at risk in Southwest Florida. Grace Place serves about 1,000 students and adults each week in Golden Gate City, one of the most densely populated communities in Florida and the poorest zip code in Collier County.

Administrative functions are decentralized, encouraging staff to get out and about during the day to provide exercise and to maintain activity on campus.

Courtyard between buildings with seating area made from local Florida keystone.

Reclaimed cypress donor wall and reception desk designed by architect.

All existing canopy trees have been maintained for shade and as central organizing elements.

Single Story perimeter buildings with Gable roofs are sympathetic to the residential neighborhood.

Drone photo of campus.

Clerestory windows in hallway of family resource center.

The dedication of Grace Place to community sustainability is reflected in its design as an environmentally sustainable campus. The campus and structures have achieved LEED Gold Certification.

Clerestory windows in hallway of family resource center.

The dedication of Grace Place to community sustainability is reflected in its design as an environmentally sustainable campus. The campus and structures have achieved LEED Gold Certification.

Built-in window seat in classroom.

The food pantry, part of the final phase of the project is the largest distribution channel for the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Collier County, serving food to over 2,000 local families each year.