Aldrich Architects has enjoyed the profoundly rewarding challenge of designing a number of shelters in the Puget Sound Region for families seeking safe haven from domestic violence. Some shelters have been achieved through remodeling of existing houses while others were new construction. Each new home accomodates up to seven families with children during their 30 day passage to a life safe from fear and abuse.

Major design challenges include providing maximum security for women who may be in lethal danger, while fitting inconspicuously into a neighborhood, providing a warm home-like environment, where women and children can begin to heal physically and emotionally, using building materials that will stand up to constant use and abuse of residents under extreme stress.