The goal of this project was to create a safe and comfortable social space for anyone dealing with alcoholism and addiction. This project works with the Alano Club of Knoxville, a non-profit organization in the Knoxville community. The project consisted of an existing site at 710 Maryville Pike, their current recovery space. Their existing site follows along with the history of the original Flat Iron Building. The process began with an initial study on the causes and effects of addiction and how design elements can help with the road to recovery. Next, parti diagram studies were made that utilized these design elements to show how we could impact addiction in spaces.

We met with the Alano Club volunteers twice to receive their insight into their recovery experiences and find out what programs they expected in their design. These programs included a cafe, kitchenette, storage room, mulipurpose spaces, an entertainment space, and childcare. They were especially passionate about their outdoor courtyard space in which they asked for a stage and a firepalce as this space was used for most community gatherings.

Throughout the space, natural materiality, and colors such as green and blue are implemented, because they are proven to be calming and can even help reduce anxiety and depression during recovery. Elements such as wayfinding in the floor design also help reduce stress when navigating the space. Small biophilic details were chosen such as the water fountains, because the calming sound of trickling water is found to aid in recovery.