Otranto senior center and fire station #6

The Northwoods Senior Adult Facility and North Charleston Fire Station No. 6 are two community-centered projects that reflect thoughtful design to meet the specific needs of their respective users. The Northwoods Senior Adult Facility is located within the established Northwoods Park neighborhood in North Charleston, designed to provide seniors with a space that promotes community, health, and independence. The project involved a 7,000 SF renovation and 2,000 SF expansion of an existing church building. The renovation included the creation of a café, activity rooms, exercise room, and social living room, fostering an engaging environment for seniors to socialize and participate in health-supporting activities. The expansion added a swimming pool and locker room area, enhancing the facility's amenities. The design team preserved much of the building’s existing structure, transforming its dark, windowless exterior into a modern, Lowcountry-inspired space that reflects the surrounding community. The new facility serves the City of North Charleston's mission to provide seniors a place to age with dignity and live actively within their community.

Similarly, North Charleston Fire Station No. 6 exemplifies functional and strategic design in a public service facility. This 7,800 SF, single-story station combines brick and fiber cement lap siding with a standing seam metal roof. The station's design features a dynamic layout with the bunk and dayroom areas placed lower and more subdued, while the elevated apparatus bay serves as the focal point visible from the street. The interior of the fire station is divided into three distinct zones: the day area, which includes a day room, kitchen, and weight room; the bunk area; and the apparatus bay, optimizing both space and functionality.

Together, these projects showcase GBA's commitment to creating spaces that support community engagement, functionality, and thoughtful design, ensuring that both the seniors and firefighters who utilize these facilities are empowered to live and work in environments that meet their needs.