Wannemacher Jensen Architects partners with esteemed nonprofit CASA to help triple capacity of domestic violence center

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (July 6, 2015) -- On June 30, Wannemacher Jensen Architects (WJA) celebrated the opening of its latest project – a new domestic violence shelter for St. Petersburg nonprofit CASA.

The $12 million project – Victoria Place – triples capacity to provide emergency housing and services to families escaping violence. (Information about CASA is available at http://www.casa-stpete.org/).

“We worked closely with CASA to help design a holistic atmosphere: One focus was to create a safe environment – not just one that is safe but that also really feels safe,” said WJA’s Tara Wood. “Privacy is another focus, while also creating opportunities for social interaction, collaboration, and camaraderie.”

Flexibility is also essential – from families of different sizes to a variety of people. For example, men and/or transgender individuals might not always be optimally serviced with shelters that often focus more exclusively on women and children. Victoria Place was designed for everyone, as well as pets.

“There are special considerations with Victoria Place to make any person comfortable.” One of the more poignant examples is in the adjacency of workspaces and play-spaces, Wood explains, “Whether it be exercise, or a class, or a work project, whatever a mother is focusing on – her child can be nearby, within sight, helping provide that feeling of safety and comfort for them both.”

A private grand opening event will be held on July 9 – news media is welcome, with pre-registration please.

About Wannemacher Jensen Architects

Founded 20+ years ago, Wannemacher Jensen is a thriving architecture firm in St. Petersburg that designs memorable and optimally functional spaces for working, living, and playing. WJA’s extensive roster of high-profile projects includes buildings, facilities, parks, entertainment venues, and more throughout Florida.

Projects and other information are available at WJArc.com, Facebook, and Pinterest.

About CASA

CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) has been providing lifesaving services to women, men, and children living with domestic violence since 1977. For more than 35 years, the community has relied on CASA to provide a safe refuge, crisis intervention, advocacy, prevention, professional training, outreach, and community education to end domestic violence and bring hope, independence and peace to families in southern Pinellas county.

CASA’s vision is a community without domestic violence so that home is a safe place. CASA’s mission is to raise voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change.

Information is available at CASA-StPete.org/shelter and Facebook.com/CASAStPete.

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