Marjaree Mason Center
Location
Fresno
Sq. Ft.
33,574
Year Completed
2024
Construction Partner
BMY Construction
Marjaree Mason Center stands as the only domestic violence shelter in Fresno County. The new Community Resources building for Marjaree Mason Center allows for several buildings previously leased across town to come together to create a hub for domestic violence survivors and their children. Here, they can seek refuge in crises through the 24/7 crisis center and phone hotline, as well as receive services like group therapy, résumé building, and court support resources.
Remodeling an old Catholic high school building, outdated classrooms were transformed into a combination of client support spaces on the ground floor and administrative department spaces on the upper floors. All downstairs spaces are designed to maximize actual and perceived safety for clients who may have traumatic pasts, and they are each flexible, enabling the organization to adapt as needed to serve their clients. This new space is critical in continuing their mission of service and rehabilitation.
Integrating interior design at the beginning of the project was crucial to creating environments that encourage recovery, inclusivity, community, and safety. Materials with inviting textures and colors were selected to avoid an institutional look. Wood, a color palette of warmer whites and beiges to cultivate a tranquil ambiance, and cool tones of blue, green, and purple were also incorporated as accent colors and in artwork to ensure the spaces radiate safety and warmth. Incorporating curved forms and horizontal lines including in the design of the reception desk, the shapes of the furnishings, and the linework in the artwork, establishes an environment that feels gentle, secure, and welcoming.
