The Sojourn House.

This is a group project designed alongside:

Jasmin Heimerl, Grace Williams, and Brigitte Pace.

The Sojourn House will provide safe, stable housing for at-risk, homeless young women - specifically supporting young mothers facing difficulties with pregnancy and parenting. Located at 174 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, the site is a 4-story historic brownstone with rooftop access.

Inspired by the dragonfly’s passage from water to land to flight, our design reflects the metamorphosis of motherhood - a journey of grounding, balance, and transformation. The visual delicacy and intricacy of dragonfly wings compared to their physical strength and speed became the perfect overarching metaphor for our clients. What begins in vulnerability grows into resilience, guided by light and lifted by the beauty of becoming.

Inspired by the different stages of a dragonfly’s life cycle, each floor of Sojourn House represents a different stage of growth, reflecting the emotional and physical journey of becoming a mother.

The basement represents the water stage—the most vulnerable and uncertain phase of beginning motherhood. This level includes a hair salon and yoga studio, creating spaces for self-care and reflection. The idea is that feeling confident and cared for can be the first step toward trusting in the world around you.

The first floor represents the transition from water to land, a period of finding stability and learning to stand on your own. A juice bar, lounge, and outdoor patio provide welcoming spaces for the young women to socialize, relax, and begin to feel grounded in their new environment.

The second floor symbolizes grounding and growth—developing strength, gaining confidence, and becoming comfortable on solid ground. A library, daycare, communal kitchen, and classroom encourage learning, community, and independence while giving residents the tools they need to prepare for their next steps.

Finally, the residential floors and rooftop represent the dragonfly’s final stage: flight. Residents have their own bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchenettes, giving them greater privacy and independence as they prepare to transition into life on their own. The rooftop becomes a shared space where mothers and children can garden, play, and spend time together—an environment that encourages growth while reminding them that, eventually, they will be ready to leave the nest and take flight into the world.