Thirty years ago, Continuum of Care was a small social service organization with a limited reach. Today, it is a $40 million operation with a staff of 800 serving 2,400 clients with serious mental illness and developmental disabilities. It operates 41 buildings with staff scattered in four locations. The architectural challenge was to unify four separated administrative offices into one new centralized facility.
To begin the process, the design team gathered and listened to client stories of the nurturing support they were receiving from Continuum. Learning that came from the clients’ experiences inspired the concept of “rebuilding lives,” which became the guiding principle for the design.
The result was a new headquarters grounded in the concept of home - including a two-story reception area, administrative offices, conference rooms, space for staff training, and a café with patio and its own separate entrance.
Our team designed an original laser-cut metal artwork to celebrate the essence of home and community. This imagery was so successful and inspiring that it led to a subsequent rebranding effort for Continuum services and facilities. The building’s design provides a generous, authentic environment that supports the care this vulnerable population needs and deserves.
