BWBR and Neighborhood House facilitated workshops with four cultural groups to give those groups the opportunity to have a voice in the design and identify design themes that were important to the project. These themes included a sense of community; a welcoming, safe and secure facility; and spaces to support small-group interaction.

In addition to space analysis and graphic design services to assist with fundraising efforts, BWBR used sustainable design guides to create a healthy, energy-efficient and durable facility while staying within the tight budget. The site has easy access to public transit, important for the many people who use the facility, and the materials in and out have created a center that is seen as a community asset to the diverse West Side neighborhood.