Originally held in a small space, Salvation Army’s Eastside Community Center in Bellevue, Washington, was in need of an upgrade when we got involved with the project. Volunteering our time to understand the layout, flow, and operation of the Salvation Army’s programs, we aimed to design a new space that supports each of their charitable missions, diverse programs, and interconnected services. The massing and roof lines of the community center reflect the central design idea – a community gathering place that addresses everything “mind, body, and spirit.” Each component of that idea and the programs that support them are reflected in the volume of the structure. The composition of the building is mostly concrete blocks and wood – a delicate balance of beauty and affordable materials. Upon entering the double-height lobby, the left-hand side of the building is the classroom wing for children’s after-school education, establishing the first portion of the “mind, body, and spirit” theme. Corresponding to the “body” aspect of “mind, body, and spirit,” the gymnasium is a CMU concrete block coated with waterproof paint inside and out. Its lack of finish and limited insulation speaks to the goal of providing a cost-effective space for the community that is easy for a nonprofit to maintain over time. The worship chapel, located on the right side of the building, is a large part of the design that connects to the “spirit” part of “mind, body, and spirit.” As a slab on grade building, there is no basement level, but there is on-site surface parking to accommodate the many community members who depend on this space as a gathering place of support, year-round.