A Welcoming Space in a New Country
African Community Education (ACE) is a Worcester-based non-profit that provides African immigrants and refugees a safe and welcoming environment that feels like a second home. We are proud to partner with ACE in the transformation of its current outdated headquarters into an inviting and vibrant hub that better serves its mission. Located in a former school building, the space is an essential resource for the community: it offers a variety of educational, social, and cultural programs for all ages, providing a pathway to success, self-sufficiency, and generational change.
Location
Worcester, MA
Client
African Community Education
Size / Area
55,000 SF
Students
540
Grades
K-12
Understanding the Vision
Engagement sessions with ACE staff and administrators, board members, and community members, allowed us to clearly understand the specific needs of the organization and the people it serves. Our design will rejuvenate the old school building by:
- reconfiguring the reception area, offices, and gathering spaces
- adding modern lighting, finishes, and furnishings throughout
- upgrading and redesigning restrooms
- improving accessibility to meet current codes, including a new entry ramp
- reimagining the gymnasium to create a versatile space for sports, celebrations, and cultural events
Responding to the Needs of the Community
As an evolving organization that must respond to the changing needs of its community, ACE and our design team understood the importance of flexibility in the design. Multi-use spaces and gathering rooms can be utilized for different purposes, serve different group sizes, and adapt when educational programs change. For added inspiration, a gallery on the main floor will display a changing collection of community artwork celebrating African culture, instilling a sense of dignity and pride.
Celebrating Heritage and Hope
This renovation is about much more than improving an outdated building -it creates a meaningful space for African immigrants and refugees to connect with needed services and serves as a cross-cultural bridge with others in Worcester and beyond.
