Project Overview
After more than 25 years of transforming lives through programs centered on compassion and renewal, Community Works partnered with Designing Justice + Designing Spaces (DJDS) to establish its first San Francisco office, creating a dedicated home for their network of vital services that support people navigating court processes, incarceration, and community return. This space allows participants to access services in a welcoming, safe, and non-institutional environment, separate from the Sheriff Department’s facilities where some programs were previously conducted.
Through collaborative design workshops with staff and participants from Community Works’ three core program areas — restorative justice, reentry, and youth programs — Designing Justice + Designing Spaces created a 6,000 square foot sanctuary that offers a genuine alternative to institutional settings: a space where people can reconnect, rebuild relationships, and find their path forward.
Project Details
Project: Tenant Improvement (6,800 sq ft.)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Status: Construction completed 2024
Spaces for: Diversion, Spaces for Survivors, Youth Spaces, Education Spaces
Project Partners: Turner Construction, Arup, Formr, Girls Garage, Metro Contract Group
DJDS Team: Project Architect: Lucia Castello; Design Support: Deanna Van Buren, Athena Do, Sabrina Siskind, Rod Henmi, Annette Diniz; Community Engagement Support: Allison Wong, Ramy Kim, and Garrett Jacobs
Design Process and Collaboration
The design incorporates trauma-informed principles through thoughtfully integrated elements, including flexible spaces that allow individuals to find solitude, receive supportive counseling, or gather for meaningful conversations about harm and accountability. Soft and textured acoustic ceilings, combined with biophilic elements like nature-themed artwork and living plants, create an atmosphere of warmth and peace. Dedicated areas for women returning to their communities include a lounge, play spaces for children, and a mother’s room, acknowledging the unique needs of mothers and caregivers.
Partners in Design Excellence: Industry Leaders Unite for Justice
DJDS leveraged their network of collaborative alliance of engineers, contractors, product manufacturers, designers, and industry specialists to bring high-quality design to justice organizations. Global engineering firm, Arup, provided acoustical and lighting expertise, creating environments free from harsh echoes and reverberation that can overwhelm nervous systems and create barriers to larger gatherings. Turner Construction delivered pro bono general contracting services that were instrumental in bringing DJDS’s vision to life.
Furniture industry professionals, Rashawnda Udekwo, and DeQuese May of Metro Contact Group, secured thousands of dollars in high-quality furniture donations, ensuring the space reflected dignity and respect in every detail. Formr, a collective of artisans including formerly incarcerated individuals, created custom millwork from reclaimed materials, while Girls Garage, the nation’s first design school for girls and gender-expansive youth, built custom furniture elements.
