PERSPECTIVES
RODE Architects, Bald Hill Builders, BLW Engineers and RealFood are proud to announce the completion of a new kitchen space for the Gavin House, a recovery building for Gavin Quincy, an acute and clinical stabilization treatment center for men and women seeking to recover from the effects of alcohol and other substances. The project, which was made possible through the collaborative approach of several mission-driven partners, transformed the food service program, allowing Gavin Foundation to increase the comfort and care of their patients.
Freshly prepared food and nutrition are details often left out of the path to recovery from addiction in a detox facility, with facilities often relying on catered and frozen foods as the primary option. However, The Gavin Foundation understands that having access to good food and the means to prepare it is critically important to the recovery process. Thus, they sought to update their kitchen space, enlisting the partnership of RODE Architects, who pulled together a full-service team who donated their time to the nonprofit pro-bono.
“Gavin is most grateful to RODE for their generosity and professionalism throughout the design, construction and opening of the kitchen. Their team designed an affordable state of the art kitchen so our chef can prepare wholesome, well balanced, nutritional meals. Our patients and staff couldn’t be happier,” said Gavin Foundation president and CEO, John McGahan.
“When we find opportunities like this to use our design skills and expertise in such an impactful way, we don’t hesitate to dive in. In this case, renovating a kitchen and food prep area in a complex facility fit right into what we regularly do for our hospitality clients,” said RODE Architects Co-founder and Principal, Kevin Deabler.
RODE Architects brought together a full team of experts to help bring the project to reality, working together to renovate the kitchen space, without interrupting meal services during the process. To do this, they assessed the current conditions and studied alternatives for expanding or reconfiguring the basement food preparation area on a low to no cost budget through multiple revisions. Ultimately, the partners concluded that expanding the lower-level food preparation area would make it more versatile and efficient without cutting into critically needed recovery bed space.
Gavin Quincy accommodates 64 patients at a time, ranging for up to a month, aiming for restoration of dignity and self-respect in an understanding, supportive, and home-like environment. The updated kitchen allows for the Gavin Foundation to provide consistent service and increased comfort and nutrition to their residents throughout their journey to recovery. Ahead of their annual fundraising gala, Road to Recovery, the new kitchen space is open and fully operational. For those looking to learn more about The Gavin Foundation, please visit: http://www.gavinfoundation.org.
To celebrate Earth Day, we are doubling down on our commitment to sustainability.
Our team-wide summit last week gave us a chance to reflect on our sustainable initiatives as a firm and come up with ways to build upon these efforts through our commitment to the AIA 2030 Challenge. Our shared vision targets energy reduction, focuses on responsibly using local resources and materials, and strengthens our communities through thoughtful placemaking that improves health and well-being for all.
Our summit allowed us to re-center our mission around pillars of sustainability: society and place, water, energy, wellness, materials and resources, and economy. From there, we took a hard look at our body of work, celebrating the strategies we are already implementing, and identifying ways we can push the envelope for a greener built environment.
The April issue of Boston Common Magazine is all about sailing into springtime with a refresh—lighter looks, brighter surroundings, and an air of easygoing optimism after another long and dormant winter.
RODE's Head of Interiors, Jessica Haley, shares her expertise on how to give your space a new, post-pandemic life, taking cues from her extensive portfolio of hospitality work, like the new Bar Volpe in South Boston. Jess enlightens us on how to integrate soft curves, bold patterns, and subtle palettes to bring on the Spring season in style.
Read the full article in Boston Common here.
We would not announce this milestone without recognizing the programming idea behind the Fieldhouse and the voices that helped shape it. The Club and Martin Richard Foundation gathered both adults and teens within the community who took the singular idea of an "athletic shed" and turned it into so much more. With their input, feedback, and ideas, our notion developed into a multi-faceted space for wellness, learning, and exercise.
Three words define the program of the Fieldhouse—ACCESSIBLE, meaning adaptive and inclusive to all; FLEXIBLE, meaning that indoor and outdoor spaces address dynamic and changing needs; and INTENTIONAL, meaning the opportunities for community benefit and personal growth are embedded in every square foot.
We are thrilled to take the next step forward in creating this truly transformative project with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester and Martin Richard Foundation, as well as our collaborative all-star team: The Green Engineer, Howard Stein Hudson, Goulston & Storrs, Lee Kennedy Company, LAM Lighting & Design, BET Building Envelope Technologies, LeMessurier, Cosentini Associates, BR + A Consulting Engineers, Haley & Aldrich, Stoss Landscape Urbanism, Dot Joyce Consulting, CSL Consulting, and Joyce Strategies LLC.
We already knew we were good at design but yesterday we learned we would also make a pretty good ski team! RODE took to the slopes yesterday for our winter outing at Waterville Valley. Some of us headed straight to the top while others covered ground cross country, with trips to the Harpoon Skybox and lodge in between. Check out some highlights from the day. It was great to celebrate our first winter outing as a team since 2020 and a truly awesome way to spend a Monday!