Alaska Family Services provides temporary shelter, counseling services, and other support for families in crisis in the Matanuska Susitna Borough.  The project consists of two separate buildings, a Women’s Shelter and a separate Administration building.   The Women’s Shelter was completed in 2003. 

The multi gabled form mimics a small residential community with each gable defining a separate pod, or house within the overall facility.   In all, the facility houses eight living units, a communal kitchen, recreation space, and laundry facilities and staff support space.

The facility is unassuming in its form and finish utilizing materials routinely available.  The exterior of the facility is cementitious lap siding, the roof asphalt shingles.   Interior finishes are durable commonly available commercial products.   The project was successfully completed on time and within it’s modest budget. 

The second phase of the project, a stand-alone 4,800 wood frame Administration Building was completed in 2008.  This project provided permanent consolidated administrative and counseling offices for the fast growing organization in order to continue to provide support services to families in the Mat Su.