 Design Firm: Philpotts & Associates / Client: The Royal Hawaiian Hotel
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Sacramento’s Society for the Blind (SFTB) is a nationally recognized leader in rehabilitation services for the visually impaired and has been offering their services for over 50 years. After 40 years in the same building, serving over 3,000 people a year, from a 26 county region encompassing the Sacramento Metro Area, Sierra Foothills and Central Valley to the Oregon border, it became clear that a new, larger facility was needed that would increase capacity so they could expand their programs.
In 2005 they had the opportunity to purchase a 20,000 sq. ft. building in downtown Sacramento at 13th and S Street, near the R Street Redevelopment Corridor. The building had originally been built as an office building and was structurally sound and close to public transportation. A philanthropically-minded developer gave them the opportunity to purchase the building at two-thirds of market value. While the structure’s size and location were right, the interior space was functionally unsuitable as a rehabilitation facility for the blind. Enter the IIDA-NC Sacramento City Center.
In the fall of 2005, IIDA-NC Sacramento City Center was approached by Cyndi Smith, IFMA’s Chapter President, who was a member of the Society for the Blind’s Planning Committee, to participate in the design for the new facility. IIDA-NC Sacramento voted unanimously to accept the challenge and immediately created a committee of IIDA members to work on the project – Laurie Bacon, ESC Design Group; Amanda McCracken, United Corporate Furnishings; Stephanie L’Estrange, Ottolini & Associates Architects.
This committee of dedicated IIDA-NC members set about designing the interiors, programming with end users for specific project needs, goals and desires. They selected the interior finishes and created finish plans and specifications; developed furniture plans and cabinetry design details for all the spaces in Phase I on Floor 1 and 2, which included the reception and waiting areas, offices, the conference rooms, and Low Vision Clinic rooms, all the men’s and women’s rest rooms, the store, labs and library, and student break room 52 spaces in total spread over two floors. They specifically coordinated with NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry) organization and vendors on finishes and cabinetry design for the Living Skills portion of the facility. They completed submittal reviews and coordinated with the General Contractor during construction.
The architectural firm of HMC Architects was the lead design firm and the ESC Design Group staff participated in the document preparation. The IIDA committee and affiliated design firm staff have donated over 500 hours of design services over the course of four years (2005 to present). Otto Construction of Sacramento is the General Contractor and the NARI organization donated the Living Skills portion of the space -- three kitchen areas for training and teaching.
Phase I, approximately 60 percent of the space will be occupied by spring 2010. The first floor encompasses 22 spaces and the second floor has 30 spaces resulting is a superb new facility for this essential service for a very deserving population.
IIDA-NC Sacramento City Center wishes to thank the following donors and contributors:
Donors:
Bentley Prince Street Industries
Forbo Industries
Formica Corporation
Shaw Contract Group
Wilsonart
Other Contributors:
Allen’s Cabinets
Anderson Audio Visual
Arizona Tile
Boulder Associates
BT Mancini Company
Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers, Inc.
Capital Engineering
Construction Specification Institute
Graebel Relocation Services
Ken Rubitsky & Associates
Melissa Hirt and Associates
Mering and Associates
Precision West Telecommunications Inc.
Precision General Commercial Contractors, Inc.
Pro-Ad
Schetter Electric, Inc.
Signature Reprographics
Vision Service Plan
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