Making camp more accessible is an important goal for the Girl Scouts of Western New York. In 2019, Design Synergies developed design concepts for a new accessible cabin prototype based on existing standards, but able to accommodate twice as many campers along with assistive devices such as wheelchairs and canes. Over several months, we created three different concepts that were reviewed by GSWNY staff and leaders. The favourite option by far was the “birdhouse”.

Based upon the shape of a typical birdhouse, this new cabin concept makes the best possible use of a small footprint, reducing site impact during construction. A larger front porch - accessible by a ramp or stairs - gives campers more space to spread out under a canopy roof. Built-in bunks can hold up to 10 campers while still allowing floor space for wheelchairs to move around safely. A draft site plan shows where each of the new cabins could be located, with the intention to facilitate a site-specific design-build process. The new campsite was built during the summer of 2020, taking advantage of the Covid-19 shutdown of all GSWNY camping facilities.

In 2021, the project was awarded the Pro Bono Publico Award for Design Excellence by the Buffalo Architecture Foundation.