A Retrofit for Renewal at Dallas 24 Hour Club
Design has the power to uplift and provide hope for everyone, including the most vulnerable among us. As more than 48 million Americans cope with substance abuse disorders, spaces for recovery and reconnection are essential.
Dallas 24 Hour Club (The 24) is on the frontlines of the fight to promote sobriety and healing, offering housing and services to support Dallas area residents living with addiction. Founded in 1969, the organization helps more than 600 people annually by providing safe and comfortable settings for recovery, facilitating reconnection with families, and offering educational and social programs.
In 2017, HKS partnered with Dallas 24 Hour Club and provided pro-bono design services for the renovation of The 24 — a transitional living building for residents in early recovery phases — through our Citizen HKS public interest design initiative.
Designing for Transformation and Hope
In celebration of Citizen HKS’ 10th anniversary, we have teamed up with Dallas 24 Hour Club once again on a retrofit for renewal — a design project and supporting fundraiser aimed at enhancing administrative and programming spaces, as well as vital spaces for residents on a path toward independent sober living.
HKS’ design transforms existing portable structures located next to Dallas 24 Hour Club’s Tillman House property, where recovery program graduates live and receive support for long-term sobriety.
Design plans include a revamped entry way with a mural and roof structure that offer a welcoming experience. By introducing bright colors, the design team hopes the warm, dynamic arrival area will help reduce stigma associated with addiction.
Dallas 24 Hour Club reports that 63% of residents feel lonely at intake. After going through residential recovery and life skills programs at both The 24 and Tillman House, loneliness among residents drastically decreases to 10%. The power of Dallas 24 Hour Club in rebuilding connection and strengthening bonds is clear and the new design will take it a step further. A large gathering space will foster social connection with a family room-style lounge that features a television, a pool table, a kitchen and flexible seating for weekly house meetings.
Through this project, our Citizen HKS team is building on the firm’s commitment to support brain health and mental health through design. This project design includes a library with built in bookshelves and comfortable seating and an outdoor garden area, so clients can relax, have moments of peace, and partake in therapeutic activities like drawing and gardening.
New spaces for Dallas 24 Hour Club career and life skills development programs are also in the design, as are administrative offices for program managers and development employees that will reduce the organization’s office rent and storage expenses by several thousand dollars annually.
Making the Vision A Reality
We are thrilled to say that in 2024, Citizen HKS raised approximately $78,000 to support bringing this project to life. Our continued work with 24 Hour Club demonstrates how partnership and a commitment to community can help us unlock the potential design has to improve peoples’ lives.