Renewing the Hope Center

More Space, More Function, More Options

The Hope Center is a deeply rooted non-profit organization that provides many everyday services including after-school programs, basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing, and serves the community in times of emergency, for example as a cooling station during extreme heat events.

The Center provides an impressive amount of services within a very small space, but a larger space will allow for expanded programming and better serve its community in times of crisis.

Farr Associates led the consultant team in a passive resilience study, and a conceptual design and cost analysis for a new Community Resilience Hub and renovated Hope Center.

Client: Climate Resilience Consulting, LLC

Location: Roanoke, VA

Role: Technical Assistance, Architectural Consultant

Project Area: 15,000 sf

Project Completion: 2024

  • JMT: MEP Engineering

    Virginia Tech University: Grant Partner

    The Hope Center: Grant Collaborator

Site Plan

Zoning Analysis for Commercial Corridor Development

Map showing the existing zoning of the current Hope Center property and adjacent lots. 11th Street NW, the eastern edge of the property, is part of a commercial corridor abutting a residential neighborhood.

The proposed design looks at the existing building on the corner lot on Moorman Street NW and 11th Street NW. The cinder block building will be upgraded with new interior insulation and completely reconfigured. Significant structural shoring and foundation work will allow for the addition of a second story and future roof deck build-out.

Master Plan

Phasing the Renovation & Proposed Addition

Massing Diagram

Existing Building & Proposed Addition

The addition of a second story takes into account the need to serve a wider section of the Northwest Roanoke community. The second story is an extension of the 11th Street NW façade, making the building’s presence on the street more prominent. 

With office spaces and classrooms located on the second floor, this expansion will serve youth in after school programs, adult education programs, and job training alike. It also provides necessary space for Hope Center staff and counseling offices. 

  • A Welcoming, Secure Vestibule

    The first floor of the Hope Center features a secure vestibule to accommodate all potential users of the building. Visitors may proceed to the transition space with lockers, a clothing boutique with donated clothes, showers, and laundry facility. Or proceed opposite to the dining room and grand stair, the multi-purpose room, and kitchen.

  • Second Floor Addition Expands Use

    The second story features classrooms, a computer lab, conference room/overflow meeting space, and an office suite. Adjacent to the freight elevator is a room for solar batteries, drawing and reserving power from the rooftop solar array.

  • Green Roof Provides Year-Round Relief

    The rooftop is an active building surface, featuring a low-profile green roof tray system under a solar canopy. The green roof helps keep the building warm or cool in respective winter or summer seasons, while preventing excess heat from being trapped under the solar panels. Space is allocated for necessary rooftop mechanical units and an elevator overrun. 

  • Elevations: Primary Façades

    Building elevations show a view of the two primary façades from 11th Street NW (East Elevation) and Moorman Ave NW (North Elevation). The addition preserves the building’s character, with a reconfiguration of the main entrance, new illuminated monument signage, and a transparent public entrance.

  • Elevations: Secondary Façades

    The South Elevation is adjacent to dedicated parking and loading/unloading space, and the outdoor terrace with a landscape buffer between the two. The west façade abuts the property line and therefore does not have windows. Should a building be built on the lot west of the Hope Center, it would not impact views or daylighting in any way.

Exterior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center main entrance. A monumental sign with illuminated letters announces the entrance to the community while a protruding solar canopy above provides shade and shelter at the main entrance. Street trees pro

Exterior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center main entrance. A monumental sign with illuminated letters announces the entrance to the community while a protruding solar canopy above provides shade and shelter at the main entrance. Street trees provide shade for passing pedestrians and the adjacent street parking. The addition floats seamlessly into the existing structure, continuing the window patterns above.

Interior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center multi-purpose room. This serves as a flexible, functional space for everything from community events to disaster response. Guests enter the space from the hallway from the main dining room (door on th

Interior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center multi-purpose room. This serves as a flexible, functional space for everything from community events to disaster response. Guests enter the space from the hallway from the main dining room (door on the left) and are greeted by a yellow large accent wall and stage area. Storage space adjacent provides room to stow cots used in disaster response, tables and chairs used for events, and necessary community supplies.

Interior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center dining room and grand stair. Entering from the reception/vestibule on the right, the dining room is a mingling space that filters guests to their next destination: upstairs for the private areas and th

Interior conceptual rendering of the Hope Center dining room and grand stair. Entering from the reception/vestibule on the right, the dining room is a mingling space that filters guests to their next destination: upstairs for the private areas and through the doors (in the left of the image) to the community kitchen.