Mary Free Bed YMCA - Universal Design Features

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Wheelchair storage – Special wheelchair storage space was created to allow athletes a place to easily store and access their sports chairs.

Design principles act as a guide during the creative development of a facility.

Progressive AE was tasked with creating an environment that was:

Pool acoustics – In a typical pool area, sound waves echo and reverberate off hard walls. For those with hearing impairments, this can make hearing even more difficult. By adding sound absorbing materials on the ceiling and walls, echos are muffled and sound becomes clearer.

• A

model for collaboration and inclusion • A platform for new and innovative programming • A model for YMCA’s across the nation • A community hub

d with a proposition that we were going to change everything about the way

Natural lighting - The facility makes extensive use of natural lighting. Windows and sky lights allow people to see more clearly while orientating themselves within the building.

Transfer station - The transfer station allows people with disabilities the opportunity to independently use the pool.

Softball field - The hardtop field allows for wheelchair softball practice and tournaments.

trim-off 3”

Assisted listening system - Hearing loops have been integrated into a number of spaces throughout the building.

Photo by: Tony Norkus and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Slip-resistant flooring - Slip-resistant flooring reduces the need for rugs, which can be a trip hazard.

MICHAEL PERRY Principal, Executive Vice President Email: perrym@progressiveae.com

CONTACT US Grand Rapids Office 1811 4 Mile Road NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49525 phone 616.361.2664 Muskegon Office 800 Ellis Road #144 | Muskegon, MI 49441 phone 231.799.4960

Mary Free Bed YMCA Quick Facts: • 117,000 square feet

progressiveae.com/universal-design

• 36 acres • LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified • World’s first universal design certified building, by the Global Universal

Design Commission

Athlete photos by: Tony Norkus and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

06.2016

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

BUILDING FEATURES

The Mary Free Bed YMCA was designed around the principles of universal design. Universal design is the idea that a space, building or product can be created in a way that makes it usable by a diverse range of people.

The Mary Free Bed YMCA was thoughtfully and intentionally designed in a way that makes it accessible to nearly everyone. Some of the facility’s universal design features include:

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Colors – Color can help convey information about a person’s surroundings. It was utilized throughout the building in a way that makes interpretation easy for everyone, regardless of color vision. For example:

1. Equitable use - The design is useful to people with diverse abilities.

2. Flexibility in use - The design accommodates a wide range of

individual preferences and abilities.

3. Simple and intuitive use – Use of the design is easy to

understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge or

language skills.

4. Perceptible information – The design communicates necessary

information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient

condition or the user’s sensory abilities.

5. Tolerance for error – The design minimizes hazards and the

adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

6. Low physical effort – The design can be used efficiently and

comfortably and with minimum fatigue.

7. Size and space for approach and use – Appropriate size and

space is provided for approach, reach and use regardless of

user’s body size, posture or mobility.

• Use

of contrasting colors - like blues, yellows and yellow-greens - help people understand changes in their surroundings.

• The

bright and contrasting track lanes make it easier for people with visual impairments to see changes in the lanes.

Ramp – The ramp is the main architectural feature of the facility. It allows for easy vertical circulation, helps in wayfinding and can be used by nearly everyone.

• The ramp’s central location means it can be seen from almost anywhere.

This helps users to orientate themselves within the building.

• The main landing is oversized to create a place of rest. It also serves as a viewing area for the fitness floor.

• The flooring material was specifically chosen to help increase friction and help wheelchairs to travel more safely.

Zero transitions – Seamless transitions into and throughout the facility allow wheelchairs, strollers and walkers to easily access the entire building.

trim-off 3”

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

BUILDING FEATURES

The Mary Free Bed YMCA was designed around the principles of universal design. Universal design is the idea that a space, building or product can be created in a way that makes it usable by a diverse range of people.

The Mary Free Bed YMCA was thoughtfully and intentionally designed in a way that makes it accessible to nearly everyone. Some of the facility’s universal design features include:

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Colors – Color can help convey information about a person’s surroundings. It was utilized throughout the building in a way that makes interpretation easy for everyone, regardless of color vision. For example:

1. Equitable use - The design is useful to people with diverse abilities.

2. Flexibility in use - The design accommodates a wide range of

individual preferences and abilities.

3. Simple and intuitive use – Use of the design is easy to

understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge or

language skills.

4. Perceptible information – The design communicates necessary

information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient

condition or the user’s sensory abilities.

5. Tolerance for error – The design minimizes hazards and the

adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

6. Low physical effort – The design can be used efficiently and

comfortably and with minimum fatigue.

7. Size and space for approach and use – Appropriate size and

space is provided for approach, reach and use regardless of

user’s body size, posture or mobility.

• Use

of contrasting colors - like blues, yellows and yellow-greens - help people understand changes in their surroundings.

• The

bright and contrasting track lanes make it easier for people with visual impairments to see changes in the lanes.

Ramp – The ramp is the main architectural feature of the facility. It allows for easy vertical circulation, helps in wayfinding and can be used by nearly everyone.

• The ramp’s central location means it can be seen from almost anywhere.

This helps users to orientate themselves within the building.

• The main landing is oversized to create a place of rest. It also serves as a viewing area for the fitness floor.

• The flooring material was specifically chosen to help increase friction and help wheelchairs to travel more safely.

Zero transitions – Seamless transitions into and throughout the facility allow wheelchairs, strollers and walkers to easily access the entire building.

trim-off 3”

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Wheelchair storage – Special wheelchair storage space was created to allow athletes a place to easily store and access their sports chairs.

Design principles act as a guide during the creative development of a facility.

Progressive AE was tasked with creating an environment that was:

Pool acoustics – In a typical pool area, sound waves echo and reverberate off hard walls. For those with hearing impairments, this can make hearing even more difficult. By adding sound absorbing materials on the ceiling and walls, echos are muffled and sound becomes clearer.

• A

model for collaboration and inclusion • A platform for new and innovative programming • A model for YMCA’s across the nation • A community hub

d with a proposition that we were going to change everything about the way

Natural lighting - The facility makes extensive use of natural lighting. Windows and sky lights allow people to see more clearly while orientating themselves within the building.

Transfer station - The transfer station allows people with disabilities the opportunity to independently use the pool.

Softball field - The hardtop field allows for wheelchair softball practice and tournaments.

trim-off 3”

Assisted listening system - Hearing loops have been integrated into a number of spaces throughout the building.

Photo by: Tony Norkus and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Slip-resistant flooring - Slip-resistant flooring reduces the need for rugs, which can be a trip hazard.

MICHAEL PERRY Principal, Executive Vice President Email: perrym@progressiveae.com

CONTACT US Grand Rapids Office 1811 4 Mile Road NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49525 phone 616.361.2664 Muskegon Office 800 Ellis Road #144 | Muskegon, MI 49441 phone 231.799.4960

Mary Free Bed YMCA Quick Facts: • 117,000 square feet

progressiveae.com/universal-design

• 36 acres • LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified • World’s first universal design certified building, by the Global Universal

Design Commission

Athlete photos by: Tony Norkus and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

06.2016