design

Our son is nonverbal, but by his body language, we gather that he is proud, happy, he feels accepted and important, and that he belongs to an extended family – Rimland. Rimland nurtures his self-esteem, structures his daily activities, and installs goals. He used to be crabby, but now we often see him smile.

— The Crisostomos Family
Rimland Goes to Yale!
May 17, 2015
Executive Director Carolyn Keel with Yale alumni architects.

Executive Director Carolyn Keel with Yale alumni architects.

On Saturday, May 9, Rimland was honored to be the focus of YaleChicago’s first-ever Yale Day of Service site dedicated to architecture and design. Launched in 2009, the global day of service is an opportunity for Yale alumni around the world to share their time and talents and make a difference. While Yale Day of Service activities take place at more than 250 locations globally, Chicago was one of only seven cities to host a site benefitting nonprofits in the areas of architecture and design. The other cities were Boston, Los Angeles, New Haven, New York, San Francisco, and Shanghai.

Dubbed The Architect is In: Chicago, the day-long workshop was an opportunity for Rimland to consult with several area architects on projects in need of professional design services.

Working groups consisted of Rimland staff members collaborating with a mix of recent and older graduates of the Yale School of Architecture to consider two projects: a practical plan to renovate Rimland’s Emerson House and a concept for a “dream home” that would represent the most ideal possibilities and wishes for a Rimland residence.

The discussion for renovating Emerson House centered on bringing the residence up to Rimland’s new standards of accessibility, sustainability, and design. The plans reflect an “open concept” that allows for more visual contact throughout the home, permitting unobstructed sightlines from the kitchen to the living room, for example. The “dream home” working group proposed optimal features for a residence if money were no object, such as expanding the home and adding a movie screen onto the rear wall of the residence for outdoor viewing in warm weather.

At the end of the day, the group of architects volunteered to meet with Rimland for a follow-up day of service in June 2015, when they will present their designs and recommendations for the renovation of Emerson House, taking into account their findings after a site visit to Emerson House on May 13. They will also deliver their plan for the dream home with the hope that some of the ideas could be incorporated into future renovations or residences. Rimland will also receive architectural drawings and a narrative of the project that may be helpful as a component of grant proposals and fundraising initiatives.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with YaleChicago alumni in the weeks to come.

Associate Executive Director Tina Jones describes Rimland's residences to Yale architects.

Associate Executive Director Tina Jones describes Rimland’s residences to Yale architects.

The best-laid plans.

The best-laid plans.

The big picture.

The big picture.