Mobile Loaves & Fishes Community First! Village
Community First! Village by Mobile Loaves & Fishes offers affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for individuals transitioning from chronic homelessness. This transformative residential program aims to love and serve neighbors while engaging the broader community to be part of the solution.
Rooted in the mission of Mobile Loaves and Fishes (MLF), the MLF Design Philosophy shapes every aspect of Community First! Village. Guided by the principles of beauty, flexibility, stewardship, and inclusivity, Phases 3 and 4 are designed to create vibrant, welcoming communities that reflect MLF’s values while remaining cost-effective and adaptable for future growth.
In collaboration with Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Studio8 developed a community hub that supports their vision, ensuring every element fosters a sense of belonging and purpose.
Phase 3 is comprised of 51 acres and includes a collection of 5 buildings totaling to 43,800 s.f. Buildings include a Corporate Headquarters, Neighbor Services, Market/Kitchen, Welcome Center and Assembly Hall. The Downtown hub is organized around a north-south circulation axis that provides an accessible route to all hub buildings. Buildings are oriented to take advantage of the views across the village to the east and to create an inward-facing active courtyard space. Meandering secondary paths provide accessible routes from the east and west across the steep grade. Shade is provided between buildings to encourage community gathering.
Phase 4 is comprised of 76 acres includes a collection of 4 buildings totaling to 25,925 s.f. Buildings include a Neighbor Services, Market/Kitchen, Welcome Center and Assembly Hall. The Downtown hub is organized around a broad central quad. Shaded circulation and gathering areas wrap the central quad, providing areas for community gathering and neighbor and staff interactions. Meandering access paths cut across the central quad, creating zones of play, garden, lawn, and plaza.
MLF stakeholders, Neighbors, and Missionals, took part in multiple visioning sessions with Studio8, allowing our team to gain insights into key opportunities, desired outcomes, and functional requirements.
The downtown hub centers around an active community courtyard surrounded by shaded porches for gathering. Drawing inspiration from agrarian building types, the design maintains a welcoming, residential scale throughout Phases 3 and 4. Murals add vibrant pops of color, celebrating the community’s mission.
Color identity is used for the interiors of the neighbor services and corporate headquarters buildings. Cool colors are used to promote a calming/peaceful environment.
