2023 Excellence in Construction Award honoree, North Bay Business Journal

Becoming Independent (BI) is a community-based, nonprofit service organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live meaningful and productive lives through day programs, independent living, and employment support.

HGA worked with BI to bring to life their vision for a new, 24,000 SF headquarters that consolidates three underutilized campuses. Each space is designed to integrate the full range of BI’s key service areas: behavioral health, education, vocational training and employment support, personal enrichment, independent living, and social enterprise. A key project goal was to ensure the new flagship location paved the way for further development of these services.

Developed through a series of visioning sessions and workplace strategy events with key stakeholders, HGA approached every design decision with equity in mind. The result is a post-secondary environment, equipped with state-of-the-art technology alongside up-to-date air filtration systems to ensure health and safety. Flexibility and integration are built into the design, so that it can adapt to BI’s wide-ranging needs, both now and in the future.

Key spaces within the headquarters include a commercial kitchen and a 10,000 SF flexible program space with two retractable soundproof walls that turn this space into three separate rooms, each containing mobile furniture. An event center is available for rent when the flexible program space is not being utilized. Hosting events is both a revenue stream for the organization and an opportunity for employment for BI’s clients. Conference rooms that double as classrooms, a gym/fitness center, outdoor garden, and administrative spaces are also included.

Finishes throughout the headquarters seamlessly incorporate the organization’s brand colors and recognizable graphics. The space not only meets BI’s current needs, but also lays the foundation for future generations to successfully connect, engage, and become active contributors to the community.