Summit House
master planning study

Summit House provides an alternative to prison for mothers convicted of non-violent crimes. This organization needed a master plan study for its program which offers comprehensive services including housing for the mothers and their children, college or vocational training, individual counseling, and interactive problem-solving and socialization skills. Summit House is located in an aging single-family residence (with numerous additions), and our studies suggested that they renovate the existing structure to house improved office, conference, and small meeting spaces; improved and expanded adult living spaces; and varied play spaces for children of different ages. In addition to the renovation of the existing structure, we recommended the construction of a new building with bedroom, bath, kitchen, dining, and laundry areas sufficient to house four additional mothers and their children. This recommendation was based on the Summit House Director’s estimate that increasing the residential clients from eight families to twelve would result in only a modest need for additional staff, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the program.