DESIGNWORKS 2023

One Place

Jacksonville, NC

BB+M Architecture

A new home is being created for a non-profit that helps child abuse victims and their families. Every piece of this center is designed for the Onslow County community to heal, learn and connect.

Since 1998, an Onslow County non-profit has provided vital programs and services to thousands of children and families. From preventing child abuse to connecting families with high-quality child care, their goal is to support every child who calls Onslow County home. The new 33,680 square-foot, two-story building located in Jacksonville, North Carolina will be creating a holistic community with expanded space for community training, trauma-informed mental health services, and additional forensic medical exams for child abuse victims. Members of Onslow County face a number of challenges. With a new permanent home, the non-profit will have a profound impact on the future of the community and prepare the next generation for a healthier, more vibrant tomorrow.

Each entrance to the building is specifically catered to the user and their understanding of the quality services provided. All reception spaces usher you to an inviting experience of natural finishes, residential-style fixtures, and an overall calming palette. The community spaces offer multiple seating types to gather and promote the property to be a second home to the community. Connection to the exterior and multiple accessible outdoor spaces provide a decompression area for the employees to unwind and recharge during difficult cases. All offices, meeting rooms, and treatment spaces also serve as a comfortable, relaxing zone. The event and training space provides a vital resource to the community for engagement. The Child Advocacy Center wing will be able to serve multiple cases and is designed to not only function but be respectful of the process. The large communal stair bridges the gap between staff and the people they serve and is a symbolic representation of continual connection and education to heal and grow. Level 2 is designated specifically for staff use. In order for them to serve the community they need to be taken care of as well. Private offices, storage, collaboration zones, and break areas are provided to support that mission.

INVITING, CALMING, HAVEN, NATURAL, COMFORTABLE
Creating a haven for the community to heal, learn and connect through environments covered in nature-inspired elements and inviting finishes. Each space is designed specifically for the needs of the community and the people that serve them. Not only is the design aesthetically calming but every aspect of the senses has been addressed through lighting, acoustics, and therapeutic techniques.