Project Overview

Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the $4 million, 6,370-square-foot Midview Cottage advances Daniel Kids’ mission of improving the lives of children and families. The new facility replaces an aging structure on the organization’s main campus, creating a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment for children ages 5–17 transitioning into foster care.

Designed as part of Daniel Kids’ long-standing supportive housing network in Northeast Florida, the residence reflects a community commitment to child-centered care and therapeutic design. Warm communal spaces, private bedrooms, and outdoor connections establish an atmosphere of stability and belonging.

Design Approach

Designed by PQH Group Design, a Jacksonville-based architecture firm, the project’s guiding principle was to create a true home within professional care standards. Every decision balances safety, functionality, and emotional well-being,reflecting a trauma-sensitive approach to residential design. The architecture supports both residents and caregivers, functional, secure, and emotionally restorative.

Residential details emphasize warmth, connection, and safety through:

• 12 single bedrooms offering privacy within a supervised setting
• Communal activity and living spaces that encourage social interaction and play
• Reflection and therapy rooms supporting emotional healing
• Centralized nurse station and service areas for oversight and care coordination
• Anti-ligature detailing and durable finishes that promote longevity and safety
• A natural palette and domestic furnishings that replace institutional tones
• A new commercial kitchen serving the broader Daniel Kids campus with approximately 200 meals daily

Impact

The Midview Cottage strengthens Daniel Kids’ legacy in Northeast Florida by redefining the standard for child-focused residential care. Beyond meeting safety requirements, it demonstrates how thoughtful, human-centered design can nurture stability, confidence, and belonging, turning a care facility into a place of healing and growth.