Harnessing the Power of Community
DC Central Kitchen, The Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs & Justice
Workplace, Civic and Public, Interiors
As a young nightclub manager in 1989, Robert Egger made two big observations. Throwing out food at the end of each shift, he witnessed incredible food waste even while communities around Washington, DC grappled with hunger and poverty. He also observed the power of restaurants and nightclubs to bring those communities together. Egger envisioned a central kitchen that would redirect food waste to shelters and nonprofits while providing job training for individuals facing barriers to employment. Today, DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) has grown into an iconic social enterprise and has served more than 40 million meals, prevented the waste of 32 million pounds of food, and empowered more than 2,000 Washingtonians to embark on meaningful culinary careers.
After operating out of the cramped and dimly lit basement of a homeless shelter for the past three decades, DCCK has moved its operations for the first time. The move is the culmination of a six-year partnership with ZGF, in which we helped DCCK define its real estate needs, evaluate sites across the city, and design its new headquarters.
Location
Washington, DC
Square Feet
36,877
Completion date
2023
Project Component
Interior design and space planning
Graphic design
Fabrication
The design for the new headquarters calls for a bright, active space that employees can be proud of while remaining authentic to DCCK’s scrappy, nightclub roots.
"Our new facility will help us achieve better outcomes from the get-go. It will prepare our students for the rigors of work. All of that sets people up for success in a meaningful way.”
Alex Moore, Chief Development Officer, DC Central Kitchen
DCCK's new headquarters allows it to triple its operational capacity, foster connections with the community, and better serve its staff, students, and volunteers.
A state-of-the-art production kitchen, training kitchen, and volunteer area support mass meal production as well as culinary job training.
Beyond providing a proficient and professional environment, ZGF focused on shaping a welcoming home for DCCK, one that its stakeholders will feel a deep sense of ownership over. A rigorous visioning process engaged DCCK employees, soliciting their input on how the organization’s culture ought to manifest in its environment. Staff advocated for a design that would embody inclusivity and for an open plan that would eliminate barriers and create sightlines between groups.
A feature staircase with lounge spaces arranged at the top and bottom, create areas that encourage congregation on both sides.
Layered throughout the facility, custom environmental graphics and artwork commissioned by local artists further celebrate DCCK’s stories and mission. The facility's bright, vibrant design also activates the street, creating visibility for DCCK while inviting the community to engage. Residents of Buzzard Point can pop into DCCK’s retail café for coffee in the mornings or come by on the weekends to volunteer in the kitchen.
Punk-inspired environmental graphics speak directly to DCCK's mission and history, creating moments of discovery throughout the building.
The power of restaurants to bring people together once inspired Robert Egger to launch DCCK. Now with a facility shaped around its mission and scaled to its aspirations, DCCK's new home is helping it harness the power of community to further amplify its impact.
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