24-018 Nyoti Center for Healing
The Nyoti Center for Healing is a project of Friends of MISSSEY, supporting the mission of MISSSEY to serve youth impacted by sexual exploitation and trafficking. The Oakland center will offer a safe, welcoming, and confidential environment for counseling, support services, and community programming that help youth build lives free from harmful transactional relationships in a setting designed to foster healing and opportunity.
Our team's proposed design transforms an aging former church and community hall into a thoughtful, refreshed, open sanctuary space that will service its greater Oakland community. The project aims to strengthen an established site for service and care while continuing a long-standing commitment to the neighborhood. The design emphasizes privacy, safety, and respect for the surrounding residential community, ensuring confidentiality for clients while minimizing noise and visual impacts for neighbors.
Architecturally, the building reflects the character of the neighborhood through warm natural materials, a welcoming scale, and forms inspired by nearby Craftsman homes. New trees, planting areas, and outdoor spaces also enhance the streetscape and contribute to neighborhood livability.
Together with additional planned community services and programs to be offered across the site’s other existing buildings and outdoor spaces, MISSSEY's Nyoti Center for Healing will strengthen neighborhood connections, expand access to essential resources, and serve as a lasting source of care, support, and opportunity for the community.
Environmental Justice
The project is proposed to be all-electric, incorporating a roof-mounted photovoltaic array, and emphasizing low-embodied-carbon construction and reduced energy use through natural lighting and efficient mechanical, plumbing, and lighting systems. Engineered wood siding will be manufactured from 100% sustainably sourced wood fibers, which also supports long-term durability and reduced maintenance needs.
Programming
text about programming needs etc, layout strategy
