Latent

Roseland Freedom Defense Center

Project Description

The Roseland Freedom Defense Center is a powerful example of what happens when justice is rooted in community.  Located at 11437 S. Michigan Ave., this first-of-its-kind Community Defense Center is now open by appointment and is reshaping how public defense is delivered on Chicago’s Far South Side.  What makes it truly unique is its community-centered design.  Two planning circles; one made up of Roseland residents and the other of individuals incarcerated at Cook County Jail have guided every step, from naming the center to shaping its mission and services.
The center offers, on-site public defenders, legal education and expungement assistance, mental health and trauma support, case management/pretrial resources, and arts programming for restorative justice practices.  Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the center aims to address long-standing inequities in legal access, especially in a neighborhood deeply affected by systemic challenges. It’s not just a legal office—it’s a declaration that justice belongs in the neighborhood, and that healing and advocacy go hand in hand.

Project Details

Date
2025
Location
Roseland
Area
1,750 SF
Typology
Social Justice Center

Partners

Cook County Public Defender | Client, Stylex Design | In-Kind Furniture Donations, Emco | In-Kind Furniture Donations
Based on the circular themes resonating throughout the FDC mission statement, the entrance is open and flexible for a variety of events.

Project Gallery

The main lounge is flexible and welcoming for a variety of community events and FDC programing.
“At the Cook County Public Defender's Office, we are taking traditional criminal legal defense out of the courthouse and into the community to provide more collaborative representation and services.”

Sharone Mitchell Jr.Cook County Public Defender

  1. 1 Mission Statement

    Inclusive. Intentional. Collaborative.

  2. 2 An Ecosystem for Economic Empowerment

    This Community Facing program seeks to Restore Justice to all residents, provide Education and Wellness opportunities, and act as a collaborative space where open resources can

  3. 3 Existing Conditions

    The restoration of this south side storefront acts as an allegory for the FDCR mission.

  4. 4 A Community Asset

    Community Change starts though strong client with a steadfast desire for results.

  5. 5 Site Analysis

    Limited budgets require ingenuity that leans on restoration rather than replacement.

  6. 6 Entry Gathering

    We wanted to create accessible places to gather + work featuring natural + thematic lighting throughout the day.

  7. 7 Organization

    Glazed offices build layers of transparency that expand a small footprint.

Strategic use of glass office walls provides daylight and connect views to the exterior.
The break room has site lines to Michigan Ave entrance with access to an outdoor dining area.
The activated storefront signals a new community resource for the far south side.
“Latent is committed is to disrupt inequitable biases and traditions in ourselves, our practice, our discipline, and our city to cultivate social impact and progressive design methodologies.”

Katherine DarnstadtFounding Principal | Latent

By revealing the beauty of the existing tin ceiling our design weaves a narrative of restoration and rehabilitation.
In-kind furniture donations were featured to accomplish unique programmatic rrequirements.
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