MHA Community Resource Center

MHA, Inc

New Construction

Springfield, MA

When the Mental Health Association (MHA) purchased a vacant urban lot adjacent to their corporate headquarters that was a brownfield site they had a vision of developing a campus that represented the variety of services they provide.

First the Magazine Commons Housing project was completed that re-established much needed affordable housing for persons with physical and mental disabilities, replacing the former housing that was destroyed by the June 1, 2011 tornado that ripped through the city of Springfield. Upon completion of the housing the attention was focused on creating the community resource center.

The resource center is a multi-purpose building that provides space for job training, computer literacy training, life and home skills, counseling, physical therapy, art and creative workshops and more. It also contains a large multi-purpose room with a training kitchen which can be used for group meetings and cooking classes.

This project was completed at Studio One, Inc Architects

The project brought a revitalization to an underdeveloped area of the city. The Resource Center has provided a space for the residents of Magazine Commons, who suffer with physical and mental disabilities, to learn new life skills that will increase their self-sufficiency as well as receive training, support and an opportunity to be creative.