Gilbert Street Community and Neighborhood Resource Center

Location: Detroit, MI
Status: Under construction

The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation acquired the approximately 9,000 SF Saints Peter and Paul Community Center, and committed to transforming the facility into a resource for its surrounding Southwest Detroit community. Programming for the philanthropically funded non-profit center was established through a series of community engagement sessions led by the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, and emphasized youth and adult programming including mentoring, tutoring, health and wellness, and workforce development.

Weaving through the renovated community center is a colorful and vibrant polycarbonate wall which leads from the entrances through the program areas, creating a welcoming, inclusive, and connected space. Ample natural light was reintroduced by uncovering existing windows, and the wall panels allow light to reach all program areas while mediating privacy and openness, through the use of color, translucency and transparency. Community driven uses include classrooms, tutoring space, a commercial kitchen, and workrooms for adult education and after-school youth programming. The center is also highly practical, designed for maximum flexibility and adaptability to support changing community needs.