Gibbs Center Production Studio – Challenge Program

The Challenge Program is a high-end furniture company that provides paid, on-the-job training to young adults facing significant barriers to employment. Following the success of its Construction Training and Education Center, the organization expanded its Wilmington, Delaware, site to accommodate additional wood and metalworking shops, a showroom, and business offices.

The high bay workshop is divided into three volumes to support teaching, fabrication, and showroom space. Large openings allow for the load-in and out of raw materials with heavy equipment. Key features include a welding shop, sawmill, and dry kiln to support hands-on teaching and fabrication from start to finish.

Crucially, the studio expands the Challenge Program’s mission to support communities experiencing challenges. As the program works to address systemic barriers, trainees earn wages while receiving comprehensive, wrap-around case management services.