711 North Beckley is a 2,000 sf office building located on a small infill site in the revitalizing, vibrant North Oak Cliff neighborhood, near downtown Dallas. The small, simple building is the headquarters of Dallas City Homes DCH), a growing community development corporation providing affordable housing and support services for lower-income individuals and families of the area.

Dallas City Homes asked for a flexible, comfortable home for the operations of their growing staff that also provided meeting and gathering space for their board and community. The new building was also intended as a sign of commitment to the neighborhood and as an outpost against gentrification.

DSGN addressed each of the needs by designing a simple rectangular building, clad in durable metal panels, with ample daylighting and views on all sides via large casement windows. A double-height entrance reception area welcomes visitors and provides a gathering space for community events, augmented by an adjacent conference room that can be completely opened up to the reception area.

Materials were selected for durability and ease of maintenance as well as initial appearance, and included metal siding, cellulose fiber deck, gang-nailed trusses, concrete flooring, and flame-treated wood accents.