In the spring of 2025, Professor Nils Gore’s ARCH 509 studio collaborated with Home Works USA, a Douglas County, Kansas, community dedicated to providing stable, affordable housing and supportive resources for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. The project transformed the foundation of an existing shed into an outdoor gathering space featuring a pergola-style shade structure and a fire pit.

By reusing the existing foundation, students gave new purpose to the site while creating a welcoming outdoor space for residents to gather and connect. The pergola provides shade and defines the gathering area, while the fire pit serves as a focal point for outdoor activities and social interaction.

The shade structure’s roof incorporates a series of metal panels cut using the studio’s CNC plasma cutter. The fire pit was also fabricated using the CNC plasma cutter, with each panel featuring a different symbol of Kansas: wheat, rolling hills, and a sunflower. These custom-fabricated elements give the space a distinctive character while providing students with hands-on experience in digital fabrication and construction.