Re-use of a 19th century comfort station for Comfort Kitchen

Comfort Kitchen, 2022

This almost-complete project grows out of a multi-year collaboration around the possibility of designing a new kind of social club model that brings people together across social divides rather than marking out spaces by class and race. It is one of three social club projects that Supernormal has taken on from a design and strategy perspective since 2019.

The project is housed in a long-abandoned 19th century public restroom or “comfort station” in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, which was restored by Utile, Inc. in 2016. After a pandemic-related pause the project is under construction and projected to open as Comfort Kitchen in late 2022.

Elizabeth Christoforetti, Nathan Fash, Trent Fredrickson, and Keith Hartwig. Developed by Historic Boston Inc. Construction by Michael Mawn. Lighting by Lam Partners.