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Adaptive Reuse and Historic Restoration |
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Ecological Building Design |
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Barrier-Free Design ('universal design') |
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Homes and Housing |
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Designed for Children |
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Glossary page |
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Adaptive Reuse and Historic Restoration:Examples from our Portfolio...In the past 28+ years, the majority of our projects have involved recycling buildings. These projects adapt and reuse existing structures, often for new purposes, while retaining or enhancing the character of the building and its surroundings. We enjoy the challenges of restoring historic structures, and have received local and national awards for successful projects. It usually makes economic sense to remodel a sound old building. It also makes good sense for the environment--both the natural environment and the built environment. When a building is saved and reused, most of the 'embodied energy' and resources--labor, materials, fabrication, transportation--are also saved. The Importance of Place:Place is a requisite for community; the two are inseparable. A revitalized building keeps it's place in the community, to in turn revitalize a neighborhood, to retain the character and livability of the place. Each recycled building is an opportunity to build on the best of the past, and learn from it. It is precisely this character that Americans are so charmed by in the old-world cities of Europe. |
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Barrier-Free Design: (also called 'universal design')Examples of barrier-free design from our Portfolio...These terms refer to design that eliminates barriers to easy access and use of buildings by all, regardless of extent of physical ability, sensory limitations, or age. Since our first project almost 30 years ago, Design Coalition has been a leader in barrier-free design in our area. A good example is "The Avenue Cooperative", a 40-unit housing complex with 6 fully barrier-free apartment units, 12 more easily adaptable and many other state-of-the-art, barrier-free design elements including several barrier-free playgrounds. On a smaller scale, we've helped hundreds of individuals with designs for bathroom and kitchen modifications, entry ramps and other home improvements for more independent and full-function living. ADA: Currently we've been helping businesses and community organizations in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We perform ADA inspections and make detailed recommendations for improvements, with costs estimates. Barrier-free Design Services:
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"...child care has usually taken place in borrowed or invented spaces. Only in the last 10 or 15 years has the age of building for child care begun... Questions need to be asked now because these buildings are where children will be growing up." --Jim Greenman
A Healthy Beginning...Because children spend so many hours in centers and schools, it's vital that these spaces be built of non-toxic and natural materials, with plenty of fresh air and daylight. |
Designed for Children:Schools & Child Care projects from our Portfolio...The character of a society quite literally begins with its children, and there are no more important places to design well than children's spaces. Our specialty in this area includes childcare centers, school additions and playgrounds, for nonprofit childcare providers, churches, corporations and school/parent organizations. Our designs create a supportive workplace for staff and a nurturing learning/living place for children. Many of our playgrounds encourage play between ablebodied and physically challenged children. In addition, many parent groups have discovered the community-building bonus of coming together to build a playground or loft. Our work emphasizes: Design for Children and Staff
Sustainable and Healthful Buildings
Design Coalition also is sponsoring a video program on child care issues; for more, see the description of the Two Tiers video. Part 1 is complete and currently available. |
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Finding ecological building materials...Natural house building techniques... |
Ecological Building Design:Examples from our Portfolio...We work closely with people with environmental sensitivities and those who accept the challenge of protecting the environment by creating a less toxic, more natural living or working space. We offer consultation and architectural design services to individuals, groups and businesses. Our most recent work includes low-toxin and natural building projects. Natural and Ecological Building PracticesA 'healthful' building in a degraded environment is an oxymoron. Architects and building owners have a special responsibility to the environment. We've always sought to design long-lasting, energy-efficient buildings; now we're finding the best ways to use materials that take less energy to produce and transport, that don't create pollution, that are recycled or recyclable. We've produced an "EcoMaster Specification" for owners, designers and builders. It's available for the cost of duplication & mailing. We're researching viable alternative ways to build too, and we teach what we've learned. We've sponsored hands-on workshops on natural building techniques -- heavy timber, light-clay walls, earth plastering and flooring, and more. Our registered architects can:
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Homes and HousingHomes and more from our Portfolio...Multi-Family Housing from our Portfolio...Design Coalition projects, like "The Reservoir Apartments" and "The Avenue Cooperative" (Madison, Wisconsin), are some the most progressive housing in the community. There is a serious need in many communities for more affordable housing units, more suitable housing for the changing nature of households (more single-parent families, elderly, homeless, single adults), and for development designed to promote community formation. Our work in housing has included apartments, cooperative housing, and self-help condominiums. We've designed various forms of special needs housing: for residents who have developmental or physical limitations, for the elderly, transitional housing for the homeless and for victims of domestic abuse. Our work emphasizes:
Design for Livability
Sustainability
Healthful Buildings
Collaboration
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