Main building entrance.

Main building entrance.

Central food pantry with clerestory windows.

Central food pantry with clerestory windows.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice is a faith-based non-profit organization providing services to the working poor and homeless. The major services provided at this grant-funded facility include: choice food pantry, adult counseling, teaching kitchen, computer stations where clients can conduct job searches, learn a language, and apply for services.

The existing structure dates from the early 1970’s and was in desperate need of rehabilitation. The work was partially funded with a CDBG grant.

Corrugated roof design over main entrance.

Corrugated roof design over main entrance.

Site plan.

Site Plan

1. North entry
2. West entry
3. Courtyard
4. Rain garden
5. Step seating
6. Loading dock
7. On-street parking
8. Existing residence
9. North foyer
10. Adult classrooms

11. Offices
12. Computer lab
13. Multi-purpose room
14. Food pantry
15. Storage
16. Open office
17. Conference room
18. Community space
19. Restrooms
20. Storage

DCa redesigned the site, which was completely paved over with parking and vehicular drive aisles coming right to the edge of the building. All entries to the building including steps and ramps emptied directly into vehicular traffic, causing a dangerous situation as the majority of our client’s users do not have cars but arrive at the site on foot or by bicycle.

By placing 1/3 of our parking on the street, we were able to pull vehicular traffic away from the building forming a courtyard and rain garden, dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, giving the users a safe and dignified way of coming to the facility.

Site plan.

Site Plan

1. North entry
2. West entry
3. Courtyard
4. Rain garden
5. Step seating
6. Loading dock
7. On-street parking
8. Existing residence
9. North foyer
10. Adult classrooms

11. Offices
12. Computer lab
13. Multi-purpose room
14. Food pantry
15. Storage
16. Open office
17. Conference room
18. Community space
19. Restrooms
20. Storage

DCa redesigned the site, which was completely paved over with parking and vehicular drive aisles coming right to the edge of the building. All entries to the building including steps and ramps emptied directly into vehicular traffic, causing a dangerous situation as the majority of our client’s users do not have cars but arrive at the site on foot or by bicycle.

By placing 1/3 of our parking on the street, we were able to pull vehicular traffic away from the building forming a courtyard and rain garden, dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, giving the users a safe and dignified way of coming to the facility.

Looking through interior storefront window to food pantry beyond.

Looking through interior storefront window to food pantry beyond.

Design Award

AIA Florida Southwest

Merit Award for Renovations and Additions – 2018

Main entry side approach.

Main entry side approach.

Gallery