Landscape Architect Articles

National Model for ADA Design02-12-09 | News

National Model for ADA Design

Utility consumption has been minimized through the use of daylighting, low flow plumbing fixtures, indigenous landscaping, and a high-efficiency centralized mechanical plant.

Baldinger Architectural Studio, Inc. and Caliber Construction have recently completed the Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona (The DEC), a complex to be utilized as a national model for accessible design. The master planned site consists of a 64,000 square foot office building, a four level handicap accessible parking garage, and a future 44,000 square foot specialized sport and fitness center.

Groundbreaking on the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center is scheduled for March 2009. The project was commissioned by Arizona Bridge for Independent Living (ABIL) under the leadership of Philip L. Pangrazio, Executive Director. The DEC is a universally designed, accessible, transit oriented, non-profit disability services campus serving the Greater Phoenix area through the collaboration and partnership of similar minded disability-oriented agencies. In addition to Arizona Bridge for Independent Living the DEC houses the Arizona Center for Disability Law, Raising Special Kids, The Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Joni & Friends, the Statewide Independence Living Council, Arizona Autism United, The Brain Injury Association of Arizona, The Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association and Valley Center of the Deaf.

The DEC is an adaptive re-use of an existing 38,000 square foot 1970?EUR??,,????'?????<