After operating from a rented basement for over five decades, Common Pantry—Chicago’s longest-running nonprofit food pantry—transformed a 6,252-sf building into their first permanent home.
Committed to addressing the emergency needs of the local community by providing healthy food, kinship, and support to overcome poverty-related challenges, their vision was clear—to create an environment where clients experience a profound sense of dignity, comfort, and belonging.
The project aimed to “do a lot with a little” in the spirit of the budget, creatively reusing 25% of the existing building, including storefront windows, interior benches, and restrooms.
Guided by trauma-informed principles, users now enter a brightly lit, vibrant, and welcoming space with clear sightlines that lead to a friendly face.
The fellowship hall—a multi-functional space for waiting, sorting, events, and meals—is the emotional center. Surrounded by large street-facing windows, interior plants, and playful custom design wallpaper, this communal space is highlighted by a dynamic shift in ceiling plane, soft globe light fixtures, and sound-absorbing wood-fiber ceiling panels.
Elevating the sense of community, a neon “I am your neighbor” sign proudly reinforces the organization’s core values. Shaker-inspired chair rails quickly adapt the space for its diverse functions.
A commercial kitchen, open and visible through a peek-through window, doubles as a demonstration area for teaching, cooking, nutrition, and other educational events.
Down a short hallway, an additional glass entry connects clients to a protected, renovated courtyard.
In the pantry space, designed primarily for efficiency, bright white counters, branded playful wallpaper complemented by a green floor finish, and solar tubes that carry daylight in from above, enhance the experience for those seeking support.
Common Pantry’s new home of heart and soul is a testament to the transformative power of design, exceeding the community’s essential needs with compassion, empathy, and resourcefulness.
“WKA communicated a mutual adoration for our mission and our team—they put wind in our sails.”
Margaret O’Conor, Executive Director at Common Pantry
Additional Images
Construction Manager: Bulley & Andrews
Structural Engineer: Enspect Engineering Consultants
MEP Engineer: Primera Engineers
Landscape Architect: McKay Landscape Architects
Food Service Consultant: Edge Associates
Photography: Tom Harris Architectural Photography