Windows and Doors Donated to Columbus House

At Pella of Connecticut, we were given the opportunity to work with students from the Yale School of Architecture as they partnered with the Columbus House on their mission to end homelessness. Columbus House is a local non-profit in New Haven, Connecticut that has been working to ensure housing for community members for over 35 years. When we heard about the need for windows and doors for this project, we jumped at the chance to help make a difference.

The design specifications of this project were simple but offered a lot of different directions for the architecture students to explore. At its core, the building needed to be around 1,000 square feet, separated into two dwellings, which would then reside on a lot in New Haven’s Upper Hill neighborhood. The design needed to be cost effective, flexible and able to be completed quickly. We knew our contemporary window and patio door offerings were up to the challenge.

The idea behind the final design was to provide a space that gives a sense of ownership and a balance between public and private dwellings. It was important to the students to amplify this concept in their designs and in the end, the design chosen was a duplex with two bedrooms on one side and another living space on the other side.

Several small and large modern windows were added to the home to bring in natural light and make the space feel larger, while still offering privacy for the residents. The students selected sliding wood patio doors to maximize floor space and complement the clean lines of the home. These patio doors feature shades-between-the-glass to provide an additional level of privacy for the residents of this corner lot property. The enclosement of the shades also protects them from dust and damage over time, minimizing maintenance.

As Tim Baxter from Pella of Connecticut puts it, “I'm very proud that we can contribute and provide some beautiful products for these folks as they move into their new home in New Haven, Connecticut.” This project truly exceeded all expectations.  We were able to help provide a place to call home for community members in need and the space was named one of the best buildings of 2017 by the Wall Street Journal. At Pella of Connecticut, we are proud to be a part of this wonderful program and we're honored to offer support to those in need.