Arlington Life Shelter

The Arlington Life Shelter has engaged GFF to design an expansion and renovation of their existing shelter for those experiencing homelessness. ALS provides not only shelter for those in need, but also provides an employment program, educational and life skills services, job readiness, health services, support in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, and after-school care. The existing one-story structure is 14,000 square feet and currently provides 84 beds for men, women, and children. GFF designed the two-story, 13,000 SF expansion of the shelter to add seven family bedrooms to better serve children and couples in the community. The expansion includes a new commercial kitchen, an inviting dining room and shared lounge space, a central hub, and a new grand two-story entry. A new children’s area; Carol’s Clubhouse, and an outdoor playground / courtyard create safe spaces for the children to grow and learn. The exterior building material are a simple metal panel with accents of white plaster, while the courtyard is carved out of the building mass and clad with floor to ceiling glazing. The interior of the new spaces are filled with calming and soft colored materials to create a comforting environment while also providing security for our neighbors in need of shelter.