Justin’s Place: The Nest

Fort Worth, Texas

Expertise

  • Community

Services

  • civil engineering
  • land surveying
  • structural engineering
  • landscape architecture

BHB provided civil and structural engineering, landscape architecture, and topographic & boundary surveying for Justin’s Place new transformative project, designed to provide a safe haven and a path to self-sufficiency for single mothers and their children. Set on 12 acres, this nonprofit women’s shelter is more than just a place to stay; it’s where moms can turn their lives around. Collaborating closely with the developer and project architect, we developed a site plan to meet the needs of this unique development. The project, currently under construction, will include 24 duplex units, offering a mix of 1,100 square feet 2-bedroom/1-bath units and 1,200 square feet 3-bedroom/1-bath units. In addition, two administrative buildings are connected by a covered walkway, totaling approximately 5,000 square feet, and a third 5,000 square-foot building designated as a community center and daycare. These facilities ensure that residents have access to essential services and support right on-site.

BHB’s civil engineering services included:

  • Securing zoning for the Planned Development (PD) project.
  • Platting the property.

Civil engineering tasks also encompassed a flood study, obtaining a floodplain development permit, and developing private and public infrastructure plans, including water, sanitary sewer, grading, and drainage plans. The civil team navigated the City of Fort Worth’s Community Facility Agreement process for the public infrastructure supporting the project.

BHB’s structural engineering services for the community building are designed as a dogtrot cabin with two buildings connected by one roof and a breezeway. Our structural design featured:

  • A stiffened slab foundation with a tree well in the breezeway.
  • Heavy timber trusses, steel canopies, and conventional wood framing.
  • Header beams to allow for an open space concept.

To address budget constraints, we explored value-engineered solutions, such as using multiple conventional wood trusses instead of heavy timber framing, to help reduce project costs.

Our landscape architecture team worked closely with the owner and architectural team. The site and landscape plans preserved natural areas along Sycamore School Road’s frontage and the floodplain within Sycamore Creek. Overall site design included enhanced landscaping, tree preservation, tree planting, and buffer landscaping.

The BHB landscape architecture team prepared plans to comply with the City of Fort Worth urban forestry and landscape ordinances, as well as full landscape construction documents. Drawings included landscape planting, plant and materials lists, landscape details, and landscape specifications.

We have also been very active in construction administration and have continued to support the cause behind Justin’s Place. BHB was the presenting sponsor of the Women Empowering Women luncheon and fundraiser to raise awareness and support the Justin’s Place mission, including funding for the completion of The Nest.

Key People

  • Ronald Ishmael, PE, LEED AP

  • Tom Kellogg, RLA

  • Joe LaCroix, PE