The Independent Lodge serves as the facility to house the programs and services that are a function of Therapeutic Adventures, Inc.

Independence Lodge seeks to house and embrace adaptive programs and participants, while embodying the nature and objectives of those programs with its built form. Situated slope-side, the lodge attempts to coexist with the surrounding landscape. By way of a series of curved wall fragments, Independence Lodge finds itself within its own "Circle of Courage." The walls loosely define the immediate precinct and provide a sense of security. The breaks in the wall allow for exploration and challenge, beyond the local precinct, that adaptive programs, and the mountain, offer.

The building's spartan exterior (standing seam metal) shields programmatic space, and its inhabitants, from mundane parking areas to the north and less significant views to the east and west. Small glimpses into the heart of the lodge are offered up through punched windows in the north wall. The roof bears on the north wall and a series of paired steel channels (to the south) held off of the exterior face of the building, alluding to the physical support needed by many of the participants. As a result, the lodge is fully transparent to the south, allowing uninterrupted views out, and in. A visual connection with the surrounding landscape can be found within all of the building's spaces. The cool industrial exterior shell is contrasted with the building's warm inviting interior; where elegant white walls, wood ceilings and floors, and a radiant floor heating system work to create a welcoming environment for all.

A cast-in-place concrete wall stretches through the site on the north/south axis, organizing building program and ultimately screening public elements from private ones. The slope-side storage building, located east of the concrete wall, serves as an extension of the service zone (offices, kitchen, bathrooms) in the landscape. Within the building, the line between public and private is less formal. Internal focus is reoriented to the hearth (wood stove), which anchors the interior portion of the axis. Its associated slat wall provides a transparent representation of the line, while obscuring many of the private functions of the lodge from the main room.

Design decisions throughout stem from proven environmental design strategies. The building is sited with respect to the cardinal directions and the sun's natural path. Exterior elements like the roof overhang work to tune the building to the sun's movement and orientation (throughout the day and the year). The amount of glass was carefully considered in terms of heat gain and heat loss, as well as affording significant views. Material selection took into consideration environmental effects as well. Sustainable, or environmentally friendly, products have been specified wherever possible.

The building is an interpretation of the adaptive program participant, both physically and spiritually. The handicapped person is frequently looked at as different and unapproachable, maybe even of less worth, by society as a whole. However, taking the opportunity to interact with those physically less fortunate reveals a dynamism, and passion for life, that the able-bodied should aspire to. It is my hope that the Independence Lodge will be an environment that fosters such interaction.

IndependencePlus® Partners: are the frontline supporters of Therapeutic Adventures, Inc. who believe in and are committed to promoting the values and principles that are a function of the services we offer -

CIRCLE OF COURAGE

We have adopted the extraordinary work of Dr. Larry Brendtro & Scott Larson as a core philosophy and have adapted it to direct our approach to outdoor programs with disabled populations. The Circle of Courage Model© provides a framework to help individuals to learn new ways to achieve their potential and to improve life satisfaction. Through exposure to a variety of therapeutic experiences in outdoor environments participants learn new ways to develop four key qualities (belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity).

Bryce Powell, is 2002 graduate University of Virginia School of Architecture, and long time volunteer with our winter programs at Massanuten Adaptive Snow Sports. Bryce has captured a design consistent with our belief and commitment to the Circle of Courage (Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity). The circular perimeter of Bryce's design reinforces the continuous long term focus of our programs. Similar to the time and effort required to meet the challenges associated with a disability, the INDEPENDENCE LODGE design reflects an evolution of several hundred of hours of work to fine tune the final product. Bryce has combined his passion and understanding of the needs our adaptive outdoor athletes with his knowledge and expertise to develop an aesthetically unique and accessible facility.