The Refuge for DMST

This was a tremendous honor to be a part of.

The Refuge is a place of rest and restoration for child survivors of sex trafficking - DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking - the largest growing crime in Texas). We transformed a run-down, dilapidated construction trailer into a beautiful boutique for the girls. The boutique is a sanctuary where the survivors can come and make decisions for themselves, an integral part of their healing process.

Every aspect of the project was donated: time, labor, materials, design, and construction. I’m so thankful for our construction partner The Burt Group who made our design intent a reality. Especially our General Contractor, Johnny Hair, who poured his heart ensuring the highest standard, evident in his craftsmanship.

This has been the most rewarding, meaningful design & construction project we have ever worked on, and we feel so blessed to have been a part of it.

AWARDS:

2020 Austin Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Awards

Category: Community impact

Companies involved*: 

Lead developer: Square One Consultants

General contractor: The Burt Group

Primary architect: Sixthriver

Interior designer: Sixthriver

Structural engineer: Dunaway Associates

*all information provided by nominator

Why it won: The Boutique at The Refuge Ranch is a small project that means a whole lot to those who use it. It is a roughly 2,000-square-foot store, with 1,600 square feet inside and 400 on an outside deck, at Refuge Ranch, a therapeutic community for child survivors of sex trafficking in Bastrop County. A dilapidated double-wide construction trailer was completely transformed into the Boutique, where the girls who live at the ranch can shop for clothing, jewelry, accessories and other items that can make them feel more at home during their time at the community. The estimated $150,000 project was completed pro bono. In addition to the work of general contractor The Burt Group and architect Sixthriver, more than 20 different partners contributed.