2021 Project Awards – Ozone House

Ozone House – Recognition of Excellence – Community Benefit

Ozone House, Ypsilanti, MI

For over 50 years, thousands of young people have come through Ozone House’s front door to find a safe place to overcome trauma and build promising futures. The FRONT DOOR is no open wider. The 18,500 square foot “forever home” brings together Ozone House’s programs and staff originally located at multiple sites and nestles them in a natural environment while on a bus route between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

2010 launched our relationship with Ozone House conducting an assessment of their facilities and developing a program for current and future needs. Working with staff and their board, it became clear that a new facility was the best way forward. We developed criteria to guide a property search, set a project budget and the board launched a capital campaign. The search landed a 5+ acre riverfront parcel, owned by the City of Ypsilanti. It came with a sewage lift station, storm drain, wooded steep slopes, an abandoned well, electrical easement and wetland. The price was perfect, and following the deer trails through poison ivy and brambles revealed the site had great potential and challenges. The 18,500 square foot â€œforever homeâ€ brings together Ozone Houseâ€™s programs and staff, originally located at multiple sites, and nestles them in a natural environment while on a bus route between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

Working with the slopes and buildable area, the building concept minimizes impact, provides 4 entrances and separates youth and adult housing. The building has a strong street presence, optimal solar orientation and creates private outdoor spaces. Parking doubles as a basketball court. Two site elevations provide connectivity to the river.

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