Doing the Right Thing – Studio E Architects Sponsors Student Designer in Humanitarian Project.

Preliminary Program Collage

We are excited to share with you the powerful work of our sponsored student designer, Jessica Kuhlman.  Jessica is a 5^th year architecture student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo who is partnering with Journeyman International on her thesis project.

Jessica with some of the kiddos of La Yaguita who attend Hogar del Crecimiento

Journeyman International pairs senior architecture students with local and global humanitarian organizations, providing pro bono design to under-served communities.  Jessica’s thesis project will serve the impoverished community of La Yaguita in the Dominican Republic by offering them a new and empowering place of worship and a safe space for children to play. This project proposes a new chapel and playground for the neighborhood preschool called Hogar del Crecimiento.

Proposed Program Diagram

Hogar del Crecimiento serves as a small preschool and homework area to give children a safe place to study and play while their parents are at work.  Children receive at least three lunches per week and are referred to Hogar del Crecimiento by the public school’s principal, who meets with the school leadership on a monthly basis. Together, they coordinate strategies for helping children achieve greater academic success in the public schools. While attending the homework help session, students often achieve in one semester what normally takes a full year in the public school.  Jessica’s project will provide Hogar del Crecimiento with a new playground and chapel facility.

Interior Rendering and Site Diagrams

Site Section – existing facilities with proposed playground and chapel

Studio E Architects is eager to support organizations like Journeyman International and young designers like Jessica  – so that good design is impacting neglected places and people. Together with KPFF Engineering (our co-sponsors), we congratulate Jessica on her dedication to serving those in need with her time and talents! We look forward to seeing the impact this project will have in La Yaguita!