The Community House

• dladmin
• April 17, 2013

Community buildings foster the social interactions that are fundamental to our humanity. These interactions form relationships and those relationships can bring us comfort, enlightenment, and create in us, and among us, the characteristics we describe as civilization. Architecture is a crucible for civilization.

The Community House is an institution in the social life of Birmingham, Michigan. The house offers auditorium, meeting rooms, and classrooms for the use of many social organizations and is the source of organization for social events outside the facility.

After fifty years, the existing facility was in need of extensive renovation and life safety upgrades. Furthermore, the demand for more and different programs resulted in the need to double the space. The resulting $3.2 million dollar project involved renovation of the existing three level 18,000 sf building and adding a three level 18,000 sf to match the existing Colonial architectural aesthetic.

Renovated areas included:

• Auditorium
• Classrooms and ballet studio
• Offices
• Washroom upgrade
• Addition of a fire protection system
• Electrical upgrades

Alterations included:

• Converting an existing commercial kitchen area into a two storey grand entry lobby with stair

The addition included:

• Meeting rooms
• Commercial kitchen
• Day care
• Child care
• Commercial elevator

Landscape and site improvements for barrier free access completed the project.

South Bates Elevation

Main Entrance