To celebrate both Historic Preservation Month and yesterday’s Global Accessibility Day, GSBSers have only to look around their own office space in the historic Henderson Building to see a beautiful marriage of these two concepts. The Henderson Building in Salt Lake City was constructed in the early 1900s as a grocery warehouse. Many desirable original features have remained, such as limestone and brick walls, timber beams, and pine floors. But other less-desirable features like a sunken floor section, uneven flooring, and outdated workspaces, were not in keeping with a modern, mobile, accessible, and sustainable office. GSBS wanted a work environment to reflect our values of sustainability, teamwork, and inclusion. We began to explore how these concepts and others could best be exhibited. Following the adage that “the most sustainable building is the one that already exists,” we concluded that a renovation of the existing space was the best option. A major component of teamwork and inclusion is accessibility, and the renovation faced unique challenges in meeting accessibility standards while respecting the historical significance of the building. By considering accessibility from the start, we framed design and construction decisions around eliminating or limiting barriers—the most obvious being the 14-inch sunken area of the primary work zone. Raising this (with a foundation of geofoam blocks) physically and visually united the working spaces in the building with the reception and hospitality areas, highlighting unity and inclusion. We further improved accessibility and inclusion through material and furniture selection, with sit-stand desks for general health and ergonomics, and individual task lighting suitable for those with vision issues. We also designed the layout and storage configuration of everyday items in the breakrooms to make them more accessible. The space isn’t perfect for every user or visitor, but it’s vastly improved. And as we as an industry learn more, we can continue to progress. Feedback from users is crucial. Accessibility should be a journey that involves everyone, from designers and architects to employers and employees. Global Accessibility Day is a timely reminder of the strides society and designers have made in improving accessibility, and the many more needed to ensure that spaces, both physical and digital, are inclusive of everyone. It’s not just about meeting code requirements; it’s about fostering a culture of accessibility where everyone feels valued and included. #AdaptiveReuse #GSBSProjects #GlobalAccessibility
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