A Place to Grow and Feel Safe

When Washoe County needed a creative, long-term solution for the Nevada Cares Campus Homeless Shelter, Falkbuilt Las Vegas stepped up to deliver 150 private “cubbies” for the county’s vulnerable population with Digital Component Construction. Cares Campus’ unique program provides a path to housing that begins with bunk beds in a shared space. As they progress through the program and engage with case management, clients are offered a private cubby containing a bed, a place to hang clothes, and an electrical outlet. “We’re giving people a space that allows them to grow and feel safe while on their path towards housing,” says Dana Searcy, Washoe County’s Division Director of Housing and Homeless Services.

Delivering on such a unique project required an equally unique partnership. “Diana was great; she personally took the time to hear what our needs were from the very beginning,” says Dana. The shelter, a Sprung Structure, presented design challenges that required adaptable solutions. “We needed to balance privacy and safety with the height of the walls. We were able to test the sightlines to find the best solution.”

“We partnered closely with the architect on design throughout,” says Las Vegas Branch Principal Diana Poellinger. “They wanted something durable – and cleanability was key. They tested our Falkskin with everything from knives to Sharpies when they came to Calgary.” Wayfinding and graphics by Identity Ink allowed that durability to extend to navigability and aesthetic accents. Following through on creating this unique space also created an opportunity to earn the trust of a local general contractor — one who had never heard of Falkbuilt, but ended up performing the installation.

From start to finish, Falkbuilt Las Vegas partnered with the county and contractor to create a space that encourages growth and provides privacy and dignity for the region’s most vulnerable.