Completion Date: 2009
Square Footage: 8,500
LEED Gold

The Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) is a private, nonprofit, community-based organization that provides medical care at no charge to low-income, uninsured persons through the use of volunteers and other health providers. Built entirely from donations, the free clinic was created to reflect the client's goals of respect, dignity and inspiration. Through research that included interviews, questionnaires, observation and daylight studies, all the aspects of the project focused on creating a healing environment that was affordable and maintainable. A simple flower provided the design concept. The concept illustrated the importance of a stable core and the beauty in the organic nature of the petals. This "core" engaged the four essential elements of AFC: welcome, support, community and treat (clinic).

The flexible conference/education space, the center element of the plan, supports board meetings, patient education and community events and is partitioned by curved sliding doors.

The project integrates evidence-based design strategies (EBD) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It is the first free clinic in Virginia and the first health care space in Arlington County to receive LEED certification. All design elements, including the pattern language and lighting, serve to shape an environment designed to restore health and inspire healing.