Building Science, Not Politics, is Virginia’s Future: An Interview with Passive House Pioneer Adam Cohen

Posted on by cguske
Adam Cohen

Introduction: Adam Cohen is an architect and builder, and an early adopter of both Passivhaus practices represented by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany, and Passive House practices represented by the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). He is responsible for nine of the 20 projects certified or pre-certified by the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) in Virginia. Cohen is currently an Edmund Hillary Fellow and working with the Human Nest Project, a collective of entrepreneurs working to create pathways for sustainable economic and environmental growth.

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Accessibility and Amenities Define Beachside Senior Community

Posted on by cguske

In 2019, Millennials vaulted past Baby Boomers as the largest living generation. That year there were 72.1 million Americans between the ages of 23 and 38, and 71.6 million Americans between the ages of 55 and 73, according to Pew, and this trend will only continue. While their ranks are diminishing, Boomers may enjoy a trend that seems to be going in their favor: Senior communities are also booming and available in a range of options along a spectrum of care, from assisted living to independent living. As Senior Housing News recently reported, even “independent living” is becoming passé in favor of “active living” taglines.

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A Better Design for All: the Molina Family Latino Gallery

Posted on by cguske

The new Molina Family Latino Gallery, scheduled to open in the spring of 2022 in the National Museum of American History, will be the Smithsonian’s first gallery on the National Mall to celebrate the Latino experience in the United States. The 4,500-square-foot gallery will open with ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, an exhibition that will shine a light on the historical and cultural legacy of U.S. Latinos, according to the Smithsonian Latino Center, and will invite visitors to “participate in a conversation about our nation’s past, present, and future.”

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The Aya Alleviates Troubles for D.C. Families in Transition

Posted on by cguske

The District of Columbia’s General Hospital had been an anchor institution since Thomas Jefferson’s second term until George W. Bush’s first term, and its closing in 2001 after more than 200 years sent shockwaves through the community. For one, it was the only public hospital inside the District. But, since its founding as an almshouse, it has also become a lifeline for the sick and indigent. Its final chapter, however, would not be written until 15 years after it was officially decommissioned as the de facto short-term housing option for hundreds of marginalized Washingtonians experiencing homelessness.

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The Accessibility-Compliant Design Process of the New Terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Posted on by cguske

by Daniel J. Feil, FAIA Emeritus, Terminal Design Project Manager

The design scope of work (SOW) for the New Terminal at then-named Washington National Airport was developed in 1998, two years before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. But the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) had been in place for years and did apply, as federal funds were to be used. So the SOW stated that UFAS accessibility requirements had to be met. But the airport’s owner and operator, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) went much further, requiring universal access – both in public and service spaces, and in all tenant leased areas as well. In effect, all 1.2M square-feet were to be accessible. The requirement was fully embraced by the design architect, Cesar Pelli, and his studio, now Pelli Clarke Pelli.

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The Fairfield: Custom Workstation Designed to Support Caregivers

Posted on by cguske

As designers, we often find that the best ideas emerge through our conversations with clients early in the planning process. Whether we’re informally reviewing space requirements or engaging in formal surveys, planning sessions, or design charrettes, thoughtful suggestions from clients are the key ingredients that inform our design concepts and lead to successful projects.

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