New Administrative Suites, Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

The firm worked with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to design a space that would allow deaf and hard of hearing users to thrive. Corridors were made wider with a muted palette, increased glazing and even lighting distribution to allow Deaf users to expand their sensory outreach and be able to comfortably communicate through sign language with their peers.

Because devices like cochlear implants can be adversely impacted by excessive reverberation, sound deadening materials were integrated into the materials palette and placed strategically throughout the space. Easily movable and reconfigurable furniture was selected so that occupants could effortlessly rearrange the space to allow clear visual connections.

By working to develop a space that supports deaf users while also embracing a new office culture, a space was designed that meets the needs of WPSD and establishes a sense of place for their staff. Since the project’s completions, many of the spaces have become new favorite gathering spaces on campus and the office culture has begun to shift and embrace a more collaborative working style.

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Details

Architecture Firm: DRAW Collective

Project Team: Christopher Brown, AIA, LEED AP BD+C; Amy George, LEED AP; Daniel Engen, AIA; John Reid; Victoria Hampton; John Carroll

Client: Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

Engineers: Tower Engineering - MEP Engineer; Barber & Hoffman - Structural Engineer

Photographer: Firm