SSP Architects Marks Disability Pride Month – Looks Forward and Back on Design Projects Helping Youth and Seniors with Disabilities
During Disability Pride Month, SSP Architects is proud to announce it is moving forward with overseeing the architectural design of the construction of a new Durand School in Deptford, New Jersey. It is working with DeSapio Management on this project.
“We are excited to take on this meaningful design project, which once again reflects SSP’s ongoing commitment to create state-of-the-art facilities that serve people with disabilities and utilizes 21st century strategies to design buildings with disability access in mind,” said Marcus Rosenau, principal of SSP Architects.
DESIGNING A SCHOOL THAT HONORS THE UNIQUENESS OF ALL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The new Durand School will feature special classrooms for science, music, computers, and art. It will provide high quality learning opportunities in a stimulating, safe educational environment for 80 students in grades PK-12 with developmental disorders such as autism and other developmental and learning disabilities.
“We look forward to creating facilities that bolster Durand’s emphasis on academics, prevocational and functional life skills. We have been working with the Durand leadership to create the uplifting spaces that are needed to provide secondary students with vocational training, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy that will make a difference in their lives,” said Rosenau.
DESIGNING A HOMELIKE SETTING FOR SENIORS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
On the other end of the age spectrum, SSP continues to strengthen its relationship with and support of the Adult Day Center of Somerset County that it designed several years ago.
“It’s been wonderful to see how this facility we designed is doing a wonderful job of providing medical and social day services for disabled and elderly residents of Somerset County, as well as their caregivers. We designed the Center with a residential aesthetic that provides a homelike setting. This includes incorporating features such as carpet and wood floors, fireplaces, and low, angled rooflines,” said Tammy Stouchko, principal of SSP Architects.
CREATING A CARING COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT FOR SENIORS WITH DISABILITIES
SSP provided programming, planning, design, and construction administration services for this Center that fosters a caring community of acceptance despite disability. Since its opening it has been a warm and welcoming place for older adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illnesses.
SSP was awarded an Outstanding Community Partner Award for this project, which features entertainment, exercise, hot meals, nursing, personal care, therapeutic recreation, OT/PT, and support groups.