A program for a police substation was given on a long & narrow site terminating River Street, one of the oldest streets in Savannah & home to many pubs and bars. The decision to include a rehabilitation center was made based on studies that show detainment & fees alone isn’t beneficial to criminal addicts in the long run.

Etymologically the component “lode”  means to lead, this is how the Healing Complex works to help its admitted inhabitants. Figuratively, a “lodestar” is referred to anything that acts as a guide, inspiration by example, or to follow a relatively bright star that is used to navigate, as lodestars (particularly Polaris) served as a guide to navigators.

After visiting in Savannah, one gets the feel for the real beauty that this city hold within its historical squares and lovely streets. Creating a landmark building that terminated River Street and engaged the the public zones was essential. The concepts of form, use and social values that is embodied in the program was the challenge & the Lodestar attempts to connect the relationship between these elements. The building is used as a tool, a gateway for ascension into personal enlightenment as an individual/patient experiences the spaces (physically & mentally). Passively catalyzing the healing process by transcending the methods of conventional detention structures, the individual goes through processes of realization, purification, and renewal to become a being that is free from material addiction by instilling and empowering them based primarily on holistic and natural methods.
The Lodestar guides its inhabitants through a series of emergent spaces that work symbiotically to better the individuals whom pass through. Instead of the common processing found in typical correctional facilities, the the complex places the emphasis on its inhabitants. The individuals are temporarily admitted into the police substation in the west that is buffered by a lush green zone from the main rehabilitation spaces. Detained for the mandatory period on the upper floor of this building, the individuals can begin the reflection process in a peaceful environment. After which they are led through the garden, exposed to natural air, sounds and light to the intermediary processing space where they meet with a counselor to evaluate their situation. If furthering the individual into the complex is beneficial or desirable they do so- if not, they are free to leave after receiving their court summons. If the case is so, the individuals cross the water to begin the purification process in the main building.
Here they are debriefed on the journey they are about to embark on, a journey where every individual works to acquire experience through series of classes and research that allows for expansion of knowledge pertaining to spiritual, scientific and personal aspects of health and happiness. The main complex is composed of meeting rooms, housing blocks, doctors offices, washrooms/ changing areas, full kitchen and dinning area (indoor and outdoor), along with a library. Higher meditation/Yoga spaces and classes are located in the tower that overlook River Street- where the river and green landscapes across are visible. Transcending higher and higher through the airy and open spaces of the tower, individuals will have a sense of lightness and closeness to the higher cosmic energy.Individuals are released at the point where they feel revitalized and ready to return to everyday life with the newly acquired information to lead a happy, healthy life.