YWCA Halifax Youth Centre

YWCA Halifax Youth Centre Renovation

Architectural Design Halifax, NS 2025

Vigilant served as Prime Consultant on the redesign and renovation of a former brewery into a trauma-informed youth centre for YWCA Halifax. Peter Jackson led the architectural work, with Kathy Oke supporting concept development and design documentation. The process began with as-built documentation and architectural programming, incorporating community engagement feedback provided by YWCA to ensure the space reflected the real needs of its future users.

The finished centre is organized into two zones. A professional side houses medical, mental health, and general offices alongside co-working and boardroom space, with soundproofing, secure access, and warm finishes creating a welcoming rather than clinical atmosphere. The youth side features an open activity space, program room, calm and sensory room, kitchen, laundry, and shower facilities. Throughout both zones, trauma-informed design principles guided every decision, with natural light, soft textures, flexible layouts, and calm colour palettes creating a space that feels safe, inclusive, and adaptable to a wide range of uses.