DESIGNWORKS 2021

The Keith Corporation / Crittenton North Carolina

Charlotte, NC

LS3P Charleston, SC

When Crittenton North Carolina – an organization serving women and girls facing cycles of trauma and abuse – needed to relocate quickly, the designers delivered this supportive, welcoming facility on an expedited schedule. Always keeping the residents and hardworking staff in mind, the uplifting spaces are tailored to the program of rebuilding self-esteem and gaining education and life skills.

The client had been living for years with a hodgepodge of donated items, and the new building offered a fresh start. The color palette was inspired by the organization’s new logo, harmonizing with warm, wood-look plank flooring. The constrained budget required creativity to provide a fresh, youthful atmosphere with economical, yet durable materials and furnishings. Playful use of paint, accent lighting, and color creates pops of interest.

Portraits created by the residents, that were discovered in storage by the design team during inventory, became both an inspiration and a focal point for the dining room, reflecting the value of each resident. Colorful barn doors are used as an attractive way to open spaces meant to be accessible by day and safely secured at night. Vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace make the main living space feel both homelike and modern.

The “H” shaped layout allows each individual to have a “home within a home,” and the light-filled interiors support wellbeing. Each wing has its own character and color theme for identity and wayfinding without traditional institutional signage. The project meets stringent institutional healthcare requirements but still feels safe and warm.