Our Brochure - The Wounded Warrior Home Project at

WOUNDED WARRIOR
AT FORT BELVOIR
HOME PROJECT
THE
a revolutionary approach to designing homes for our nation’s heroes
Fort Belvoir Residential Communities LLC
Clark Realty Capital
The United States Army
in collaboration with
IDEO & Michael Graves and Associates
200,000
More than
U.S. soldiers have
been injured to date fighting our country’s Global
War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nearly half of
these brave men and women are continuing their service
and returning to active duty after rehabilitation. As the
Army’s RCI partner at Fort Belvoir, Clark Realty Capital
wanted to know:
What happens when these
wounded warriors come home?
How could we create accessible homes that better meet
the needs of this growing population? Over the course of
the last year, we made it our mission to find out.
3
AN INSPIRED MISSION
Clark Realty Capital’s radical pursuit to improve quality of life for our nation’s heroes
Improving quality of life has been
the driving force behind Clark
Realty Capital’s successful publicprivate partnership with the Army to
redevelop more than 2,000 homes
at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Together,
Clark and the Army have set the bar
for creative ideas and pioneering
innovations, including the first mixeduse town center on an installation
and the first LEED Platinum building in
the Department of Defense portfolio.
It was a natural next step in our
partnership to rethink how we house
our nation’s Wounded Warriors.
Clark Realty Capital sought to support
the increasing number of Wounded
Warriors returning to active duty at
Fort Belvoir by reexamining the design
of accessible homes within our family
housing portfolio. We wanted to go
beyond typical code and accessibility
requirements to create homes that not
only responded to the unique needs
of these deserving soldiers, but also
reflected the service and sacrifice they gave
in the line of duty.
WORLD-CLASS EXPERTS
To help us with our quest, we called upon
some of the best minds in the industry to
help us understand the needs of Wounded
Warriors and their families, how they live,
and the role housing can play to make
their lives more dignified, joyful, healthy,
and rich with positive experiences. In May
2010, Clark collaborated with IDEO,
the global design and innovation firm.
IDEO takes a human-centered, designbased approach to helping organizations
tackle challenges. We also met with
dozens of industry experts, including
researchers from the University of
Pittsburgh and advocates from the
Army Wounded Warrior Program
(AW2), to gain further insight about the
challenges returning Wounded Warriors
face. Armed with this knowledge,
Clark Realty Capital then conducted
a nationwide design competition
in November 2010 and brought on
Michael Graves and Associates to
transform the housing for these soldiers.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD
The result of these collaborations is The
Wounded Warrior Home Project at
Fort Belvoir: two radically redesigned
homes that aim to set a new standard
in accessible design for the people who
have given so much of themselves to
our country. The homes will serve as a
prototype for future accessible homes
at Fort Belvoir and spark a continuing
dialogue nationwide on how we can
improve lives for all persons living with
disabilities.
5
UNDERSTANDING THE
WOUNDED WARRIOR
a study of these heroes’ emotional challenges and physical needs
types of injuries
LA
LIMB AMPUTATION
HL
HEARING LOSS
TBI
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
SCI
SPINAL CORD INJURY
PTSD
POST-TRAUMATIC
STRESS DISORDER
BL
BLINDNESS, VISION LOSS,
OR LOW VISION
BU
BURNS
OT
ORTHO TRAUMA TO
INCLUDE LIMB-SALVAGE
6
Our team took an in-depth look at
how Wounded Warriors live when
they return from war, interviewing
and observing 10 civilians and 20
soldiers with varying types of injuries,
meeting with their loved ones, and
getting feedback from nearly two dozen
accessibility experts.
A “NEW” NORMAL
Today’s Wounded Warriors face a
wide range of injuries such as loss of
limbs, third degree burns, impairment
of senses, traumatic brain injury, and
post-traumatic stress disorder. The
repercussions reach deep and impact
their physical abilities, emotional state,
sense of security, and mental skills.
Further, when Wounded Warriors return
home and begin the long journey of
rehabilitation and adjustment to their
“new” normal, most service men and
women find it difficult to adapt to
their surroundings, having to employ
workarounds and make costly alterations
to make their homes meet their altered
physical and mental health needs.
THE DICHOTOMY OF THE
WOUNDED WARRIOR
However, in listening to everyone’s
stories and challenges, we discovered
there is no one Wounded Warrior.
There isn’t one collective or common
experience.
the seven dualities
What we found is that there is a series
of dualities, a yin and yang contrast that
defines the complex needs of Wounded
Warriors and their respective families.
These dualities—such as “social privacy,”
“mobile roots,” and “visible and invisible
security”—shed light on the specific
physical, mental, and emotional needs
of everyday life for the Wounded
Warrior. Combined with features that
aid the most common injuries sustained
by Wounded Warriors, these dualities
serve as the foundation for the design of
the Wounded Warrior Home Project at
Fort Belvoir.
WELL DEFINED, UNDEFINED SPACES
A home is never set in stone. In a household, roles shift, preferences change
and most important, physical and mental impairments dictate an evolving set
of challenges. This demands a flexible design that allow for both defined and
undefined space. People wish to be the architect of their own home. Open
ended space gives them square feet to imagine an optimism and future they
shape themselves.
MOBILE ROOTS
It’s difficult to sink down roots when they’re yanked up every few years. The
constant flux of transient military life places extra demands on a family. People
don’t want to feel they’re just passing through, short timers, skipping from base
to base. They want home to feel like they’ve finally arrived at their destination.
The dynamic of mobility and deep roots often decides a big chunk of happiness.
INSIDE OUT, OUTSIDE IN
Poets, explorers, and rehab therapists all know the immense healing powers of
nature. It’s a tremendous gift for anyone suffering wounds, physical or mental.
The outside world or even back patio is a deep-breath metaphor for freedom.
Nature is force of nurture. This duality is about bringing the outside experience
inside the home — and equally important, making sure the journey outside is
short, effortless, and joyful.
VISIBLE & INVISIBLE SECURITY
Trauma, post combat stress, reduced mobility—these are issues that make it hard
to feel safe and secure. People want the protection of their hidden cocoon but
also a total 360 degree visual awareness of their surroundings. It’s about providing
security through concealment and reduced exposure—yet also creating security
through visibility, instant communication, and control of their environment.
SOCIAL PRIVACY
Sometimes people view their home as a sanctuary, a retreat, a place of privacy
and introspection. Other times, people see their home as a gateway to the outside
world—to social and cultural connections that both determine well-being. A
home must be a restful oasis and a place for raucous good times—both equally
therapeutic.
UNIQUELY NORMAL
Here are two distinct and contrary requirements: the desire to live a normal life
despite significant physical and often mental wounds. Normal in the just-likeeverybody-else sense. No special treatment whatsoever. But second, the obvious
need for specific accommodations that dramatically improve quality of life. In the
home, the goal is to strike that balance: a wheel chair-friendly dream home, but
one that appears ordinary, nothing more than plain wonderful normal life.
OLD SELF, NEW SELF
Healing is a long and winding road. The early stages are about repairing the
damage, rebuilding what was lost. Over time, the unique determination of
Wounded Warriors drive them toward self-improvement and transformation. The
human beauty is that great loss also inspires tremendous new gain. This calls for
an architecture that encourages that recovery, no matter where or how far that
journey takes them.
These elevations, sketched by Michael
Graves, served as inspiration for the
two new concept homes.
REDESIGNING THE HOME
how Michael Graves is transforming accessible design
with two new concept homes at Fort Belvoir
A rare viral infection at the age of 69
nearly took the life of world renowned
architect Michael Graves and left him
with paralysis. So, when Clark Realty
Capital sought designers for the two
Wounded Warrior homes, Michael
Graves knew his firm had to get
involved in the landmark initiative.
AN ENGAGED LIFESTYLE
Working closely with our development
and construction teams, Michael
Graves and Associates leveraged
universal design principles and several
transformative design solutions to create
two unique homes that provide open
living environments and encourage an
active and engaged lifestyle for soldiers
and their families. The designs create
solutions for the physical environment,
while integrating technologies that will
assist residents in their every day lives.
MICHAEL GRAVES, AIA
Having lived with paralysis for nearly a decade, renowned architect and designer Michael Graves has gained significant
expertise and insight into how people live and work, whether mobility challenged or not.
9
THE PATRIOT HOME - WHEN THOUGHTFUL DESIGN BECOMES A REALITY
This single-story home is fully accessible for the Wounded Warrior, his or her family, and visitors. It exudes comfort and
security, while the simple yet elegant architecture creates a new paradigm for universal design.
10
11
THE FREEDOM HOME - CREATIVE DESIGN AND PLANNING
The second of the two Wounded Warrior Homes features an octaganal family room and limits the number of dead ends
within the home to allow for easy travel throughout the space.
12
13
For many wounded people, the
bedroom is an essential oasis. Peace
and quiet, a sense of enduring calm
and safety, warmth and physical
affection. These things draw them to
bed, and they wake in the morning
with the strength to live well and
count blessings.
a masterful
BEDROOM
features
Illuminated Rocker Switches
Illuminated rocker-style switches
optimize accessibility and enhance
LA TBI PTSD BL OT
visibility.
Solid Surface Flooring
Solid surface flooring throughout
the home optimizes accessibility and
LA OT
maneuverability.
14
Sliding Interior Doors
Sliding doors with easy-to-reach door
handles allow for privacy without
monopolizing floor space like a
LA OT
standard hinged door.
Glass Doors
Glass doors provide visual and
physical access to private outdoor
patio space.
TBI PTSD
Bedside Space
Ample room by bedside provides
plenty of space for storing wheelchairs
or prosthetic limbs.
LA OT
Enhanced HVAC System
Twelve separate temperature control
zones provide enhanced comfort
LA BU
within each room.
all access
BATHROOM
features
For the disabled or physically
challenged, the bathroom is
usually a source of frustration and
embarrassment, a reminder that their
bodies don’t work the same way
they once did. Happily, their dream
bathroom does exist. Now accessibility
isn’t an issue, cabinet access isn’t an
issue, showers aren’t an issue, and
neither is opening windows or doors.
Clerestory Windows
Clerestory windows bring in greater
amounts of natural light and visually
extend the space outdoors, bridging
the inside space with the outdoors.
TBI PTSD
Curbless Shower
A curbless shower with linear drain
system eliminates the need for a
standard floor slope and prevents
balance issues. Small mosaic tiles make
a nonskid ‘carpet’ for ease of access and
LA TBI PTSD OT
safety.
Mobile Base Cabinets
Mobile base cabinets on casters
provides open space below sink for
optimum wheelchair accessibility and
LA OT
movable storage.
Handheld Showerhead
Bathrooms feature a handheld
showerhead on adjustable rods to
accommodate those with limited
LA OT
mobility.
Large Whirlpool Tub
A large whirlpool tub provides a big
platform surface for transferring to and
from a wheelchair. The lower sides on
the tub make it easier to step in and
out. Slip resistant tub surfaces provide
LA OT
added safety.
Anchored Towel Bars
Anchored towel bars that double as
grab bars and provide a dual-purpose
LA OT
feature.
15
The healing powers of healthy food,
daily family reunions at the island,
laughter, and good times all take
place in the kitchen. Family life is
lived in this special room.
Our concept homes enable the
Wounded Warrior to fully utilize
the kitchen with adjustable sinks,
countertops, cooking surfaces, and
shelves. Low-height countertops
accommodate children, people in
seated positions, and individuals who
require frequent rest breaks. Visual
access to the family space creates
openness and awareness through
the entire space. The design is a
culinary command post, building in
the ability to monitor activities in the
rest of the house — even outside.
The heightened visibility provides
tremendous benefit to anyone with a
disability.
sharing more than meals
KITCHEN
features
Under Cabinet Lighting
Under mount lighting on cabinetry
enhances lighting and visibility,
especially beneficial with lowered top
cabinet heights.
TBI PTSD BL
Mobile Base Cabinets
Mobile base cabinets on casters provide
open space below sink and next to stove
while providing an extra work surface.
LA OT
Adjustable Height Work Surfaces
Automatic lifts adjust work surfaces at
different heights for different users.
LA OT
16
Automatic Doors
Wide automatic entry doors
provide optimum accessibility and
LA OT
maneuverability.
Induction Cook Top
An electromagnetic induction cook
top provides smooth surfaces for easy
movement of pots and pans. Heat is
generated directly by the pot or pan
through a magnetic field and the
surface is only heated from contact with
a pot or pan, ensuring a safe surface for
children, elderly, and individuals with
temperature insensitive skin.
LA TBI PTSD BL
Extra Countertop Space
Ample countertop space provides space
for cooking and preparing food with
space left over for other activities.
LA HL TBI SC PTSD BL OT BU
Loop Handle Cabinets
Looped handles on all cupboards create
better optimum accessibility and ease
of use.
LA TBI PTSD BL
Adjustable Height Sink
Automatic lifts to adjust sink counter at
different heights for different users.
LA OT
Adjustable Height Counter
An adjustable height counter provides
ease of access for multiple uses.
LA OT
Drawer-Style Dishwasher
A drawer-style dishwasher provides
convenient access from a sitting or
LA OT
standing position.
Adjustable Height Table
The kitchen features a unique
adjustable height table providing a
range of 24” to 35” for ease of access
LA OT
and multiple uses.
17
17
Trauma, post combat stress, reduced
mobility — these are issues that
make it hard to feel safe and secure.
People want the protection of their
hidden cocoon but also a total 360
degree visual awareness of their
surroundings. It’s about providing
security through concealment and
reduced exposure — yet also creating
security through visibility, instant
communication and control of their
environment. The Wounded Warrior
home brings the outside experience
inside the home.
INTERIORS
smart and convenient
features
Low Windows
Merging the inside space with the
outdoors, low windows provide natural
light and views of nature in addition to
LA TBI PTSD OT
enhancing security.
Non-Slip Flooring
Non-slip coating and sealers to increase
slip-resistance to concrete floors.
LA TBI PTSD BL OT
Wide Hallways
Wide hallways provide optimum
accessibility and maneuverability.
LA OT
Contrasting Flooring
Contrasting floor finishes in hallways
serve as a visual border to enhance
TBI PTSD BL
visibility.
Built-In Wall Recess
Built in wall recess provides a
convenient place for dropping off
personal belongings when entering the
LA TBI PTSD OT
home.
Open Floorplan
Floorplans combine both a social
space with an open floorplan for
entertaining and a private space for
retreat, both equally therapeutic.
TBI PTSD
Entry Door Intercom System
Primary and secondary entry doors will
be equipped with push-button, handsfree speaker phone stations connected
to cordless phones within the home.
This allows the home’s occupant to
identify and communicate before
physically moving to the door.
LA TBI PTSD OT
Poets, explorers, and rehab therapists
all know the immense healing powers
of nature: it’s a gift for anyone
suffering wounds, physical or mental.
The outside world or even back patio is
a deep-breath metaphor for freedom.
Nature is a force of nurture. Just as
important to bringing nature to the
home is ensuring that the journey
outside is short, effortless, and joyful.
safe and spacious
EXTERIORS
features
Exterior Trellis
Trellises are placed over each window
on the exterior for vegetation to
grow, providing natural shading for
temperature control and bridging the
inside space with the outdoors.
TBI PTSD BL
Window and Door Sensors
Status sensors installed at every exterior
door and window to track whether they
are open or closed provide enhanced
security and reduce the need to
physically move from room to room.
LA HL TBI PTSD OT
Exterior Lighting
Exterior lights at entry points provide
enhanced visibility and security.
TBI PTSD BL
Level Thresholds
Level thresholds at all entry points and
pathways provide optimum accessibility
for both the home occupants and
LA OT
visitors.
Automatic Doors
Wide automatic entry doors provide
optimum accessibility and maneuverability.
LA OT
Backyard Space
The backyard space makes for a
wonderful spot for outdoor activities.
An open landscape using grass, plants,
and trees to demarcate boundaries
creates a more seamless neighborhood
atmosphere.
LA HL TBI SC PTSD BL OT BU
Large Garage
Extra large garage space for specialty
vans and extra storage space.
LA OT
19
tailored necessities
UTILITY SPACE
It goes without saying that military
families are always on the move.
Cars rolling in and out, packing and
unpacking, gearing up and standing
down. Storage is key, along with
lighting, the comfort of a security
system, and a height-adjustable work
bench. Entries and exits are often an
extra challenge, but smart design is a
process of challenge-removal.
features
Built-In Seating
Built-in seating provides the
opportunity to sit at the moment of
arrival to the home.
LA OT
Automatic Doors
A wide automatic door to the garage
provides optimum accessibility.
LA OT
Convertible Laundry Station
A convertible laundry station can be
folded down to function as an ironing
LA OT
board.
20
Healing is a long and winding
road. The early stages are about
repairining the damage, rebuilding
what was lost. Over time, the unique
determination of Wounded Warriors
drive them toward self-improvement
and transformation. The human
beauty is that great loss also inspires
tremendous new gain. This calls for
an architecture that encourages that
recovery, no matter where or how
far that journey takes them.
rejuvenate + recuperate
THERAPY ROOM
features
Adaptable Space
The therapy room is an adaptable space
that can convert from a home office to
rehab room to guest bedroom.
LA HL TBI SC PTSD BL OT BU
Digital Camera
High resolution digital camera
connects to a healthcare system for
the ability to interact remotely with
doctors and patient care advisors.
LA HL TBI SC PTSD BL OT BU
Displays
Flat panel displays connect to home
automation and healthcare systems
LA HL TBI SC PTSD BL OT BU
21
FUTURE IMPACT
leading the way in recognizing the needs of the wounded warrior
Our team will improve the lives of
the families living in these two homes
throughout the remainder of the
privatization program. Our hopes,
however, are much greater than that.
AN EYE TO THE FUTURE
Creating an adaptive, functional space
for injured soldiers is a journey without
a clear end-point. The Wounded
Warrior homes are intended to push
boundaries well after the first residents
move in. Upon scheduled completion,
each of the homes will function as
a design laboratory for continued
learning. This project serves not only
as a model for new accessible homes
nationwide, but also spurs much-needed
national dialogue about the importance
of properly serving those who have
served us. Through education and
raising awareness, we hope to make a
difference in the lives of the wounded
warriors and their families.
22
A PROTOTYPE FOR THE FUTURE OF
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN
We plan to refine our model and learn
through observation and testing to
perfect our design. This learning process
is already underway in conjunction with
the University of Buffalo’s Center for
Inclusive Design and Environmental
Access (IDeA). The Center received a
five-year, $4.75 million grant from the
U.S. Department of Education’s National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research to study the first two homes
and their soon-to-be residents and apply
these lessons learned to future homes.
A MODEL OF THOUGHTFUL
APPROACH TO RCI REQUIREMENTS
We hope to spread these ideas to Clark
projects on military installations around
the country. This ongoing learning
experience will apply practically as we
meet the RCI requirements at Fort
Belvoir. A total of 5% of the homes
here must be made accessible, and
sites are already planned for 19 future
Wounded Warrior homes, once these
two homes are complete. Meeting these
requirements is only the beginning
as our prototype home continues to
improve and evolve.
IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR
DISABLED AMERICANS
Today, more than 49 million people
in the United States are living with
disabilities, with more than 32 million
are classified as having severe disabilities.
Many of the ideas presented in these
homes do not cost more to implement
if they are incorporated into the initial
plan and design of the home before
construction begins.
CLARK REALTY CAPITAL, LLC
Established in 1992, Clark Realty Capital (CRC) leverages the same entrepreneurial spirit and culture
fostered nearly 20 years ago to encourage creative solutions to complex real estate challenges. A
privately held company, Clark Realty Capital has developed more than 65 projects across the nation,
encompassing more than 10,000 acres of land with a total development value of over $7.6 billion.
Our culture of innovation and passion to continually seek out new ideas has not only driven the
growth of existing core businesses, but also spawned several new start-ups, including a mortgage
company that is bringing the dream of homeownership to Latin American families and an energy
services company that is transforming America’s energy security with utility-scale renewables and
energy-efficient retrofits. CRC is an affiliate of The Clark Construction Group, one of the nation’s
oldest and largest private general contractors.
MICHAEL GRAVES COMPANIES
Michael Graves & Associates has been in the forefront of architecture and design since its founding
in 1964. The Michael Graves Companies employ a unique, integrated multidisciplinary approach to
design to enhance the human experience at every scale – from the built environment to the objects
in a room. Our mission is to provide clients around the globe with innovative design solutions that
are functional, sustainable, sensitive, and beautiful. Today, the practice comprises two firms: Michael
Graves & Associates, which provides master planning, architecture and interior design services,
and Michael Graves Design Group, which specializes in product design and graphic design. The
architectural practice has designed over 350 buildings worldwide encompassing many building types
while the design group has designed over 2,000 consumer projects. Michael Graves and the firms
have received nearly 200 awards for design excellence.
IDEO
IDEO is an award-winning global design firm that takes a human-centered, design-based approach
to helping organizations in the public and private sectors innovate and grow. We identify new ways
to serve and support people by uncovering latent needs, behaviors, and desires. We envision new
companies and brands and design the products, services, spaces, and interactive experiences that
bring them to life. We help organizations build creative culture and the internal systems required to
sustain innovation and launch new ventures. IDEO employs a unique approach, design thinking, which
brings together what is desirable from a human point of view with what is technologically feasible and
economically viable. Design thinking allows people who are not trained as designers to use creative tools
to solve a vast range of challenges All of IDEO’s work is done in consideration of the capabilities of our
clients and the needs of their customers. As we iterate toward a final solution, we assess and reassess
our designs. Our goal is to deliver appropriate, actionable, and tangible strategies. The result: new,
innovative avenues for growth that are grounded in business viability and market desirability.
www.woundedwarriorhome.org