Exchange House Akron

The Exchange House is a shared space and cultural hub in Akron’s international North Hill district.

The Exchange House works to engage the diverse international community that exists in Akron, and to provide a space that creates invitations for additional immigrants to temporarily reside in the North Hill neighborhood, transfer skills, and bridge barriers between communities.

The City of Akron, Ohio is faced with population declines, excessive housing stock, and a lowered tax base to maintain existing infrastructure. The Exchange House project combats this trend by converting a vacant house in the North Hill neighborhood into a cultural hostel and gathering space. It works to exemplify the benefits of shared housing while reducing the negative side effects experienced in rapidly transforming areas.