Syracuse University has been empowering and supporting veterans for more than a century. The recently constructed Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, which opened in late 2021 and is home to the work of the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC), stands as the latest testament to this enduring commitment.
The NVRC’s mission is multifaceted, aiming to advance veterans' and military families' social, economic and wellness concerns. According to Theatre Projects’ principal, Jim Niesel, “This is a really important addition to the campus” that serves as “a true community gathering space, offering programming, training, events, and other academic and vocational initiatives.” This sentiment encapsulates the NVRC's broader vision of being a central hub for veterans, military families and military-connected students on campus, within the local community, and across Central New York.
The design and construction of the facility were spearheaded by SHoP Architects, with significant contributions from Theatre Projects, which collaborated on the design and technology for the auditorium and rooftop parade grounds and worked on the building’s audiovisual and technology systems. The partnership ensured the building would be both state-of-the-art and accessible, creating an inclusive environment for its users and the community.
Daniel Ordower, Managing Principal for Theatre Projects, explains the firm’s approach to accessibility and intelligent design in venue design. “Theatre Projects believes strongly that everyone should be welcomed and feel welcomed at any venue, and we design for inclusivity and access for all from day one. We will look at the entirety of the venue and all its points of experience. It may be starting with entrances that are people-sized and intended to not be intimidating, to barrier-free audience circulation, to wayfinding and signage that is appropriate for neurodivergent and visually impaired guests, or companion restrooms that are large enough to accommodate adult-sized change tables.”
Ordower continues, “Working to advocate for access in all areas of venues, we also always initially design our back-of-house spaces, including technical levels, control booths and catwalks, to be fully accessible. Many times, budgetary and space limitations may impact some of these initial concepts, but we believe that by beginning the design process from our philosophy of access prioritization, we have the best chance at creating enjoyable and inclusive environments.”
At the Heart of the Venue
One of the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building’s most notable features is its 938-seat auditorium, designed to accommodate many event types, including TED talks, lectures and military band performances. The auditorium's layout prioritizes accessibility, with seating positions that integrate seamlessly into the room's design. The room features accessible seating throughout, including removable seats in the front row, cross-aisle and back row of the parterre, as well as fully wheelchair-accessible box seats on both levels. It exceeds requirements with twice the number of designated aisle seats where arms flip up to provide unimpeded access in both the orchestra and the balcony. Ramps and elevators ensure smooth movement between levels, and quiet spaces are provided for those with sensory sensitivities.
“Guest experience is always our driver, and a premiere guest experience is often synonymous with accessibility and inclusion,” Gena Buhler, Head of Strategy and Operations for Theatre Projects, says.
This commitment to accessibility is a cornerstone of Theatre Projects' design ethos. How does intelligent design create more welcoming experiences for all audiences?
“Ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected means assessing every aspect of the venue experience, during and after design,” Buhler says. “This includes everything from quality performance audio systems with the latest assisted listening technology to clear sightlines, comfortable seating, non-slip flooring, well-placed handrails, wider aisles, and clear and understandable signage. There are many opportunities to improve both new and existing venues to create more welcoming experiences for everyone, and we recommend that this assessment is done before, during and after any level of design project.”
The Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building exemplifies the principles of universal design, which benefits not only individuals with disabilities but all users.
Buhler explains, “Universal design and accessibility don’t just create better event experiences [for people with disabilities], they provide better guest experiences to all — especially folks who might be coming to a venue for the very first time. For instance, if you’re arriving at a venue as a first-time attendee, you may already be nervous or unsure of yourself arriving to a new and unfamiliar environment. A properly scaled entrance, with clear signage and wayfinding, and a barrier-free circulation pattern will provide an easier experience for a nervous first-time theatergoer while also providing a top-notch experience [for an audience member who is neurodivergent or has a disability].”
An accessibility and inclusion philosophy extends beyond the physical space to the operational aspects of the venue. Buhler says, “Training staff in accessibility and inclusivity, as well as in the use and location of accessibility tools — such as assisted listening devices, dedicated seating areas and adult changing tables — enhances customer service and fosters a more welcoming environment for all attendees in the well-designed spaces. The best-designed spaces are only as good as the staff that are trained to operate in those spaces, including a good knowledge base of the newest enhancements.”
Ensuring accessibility feels like a seamless part of the design rather than an afterthought is crucial for creating truly inclusive environments. Ordower emphasizes that this requires a commitment from owners and operators from the very beginning. “That’s all about the owner and operator prioritizing accessible and inclusive design so that the design team begins concept design with those priorities in mind,” she says. “Because the [Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building and NVRC were] serving all veterans and especially combat veterans, the design team began from the premise of creating a fully accessible facility. Once you start from the beginning of universal design, it’s easy to create a beautiful facility that is barrier free.”
Despite the clear benefits of accessible design, the industry often faces challenges in prioritizing these features due to budgetary constraints. Ordower notes, “So often, accessibility is one of the first things to fall victim to value engineering and cost-cutting. Because the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations set a floor, it’s easy for architects and owners to cut out additional accessibility features that cost money, making the assumption that as long as the code is met, that ‘should be enough’ when financial impacts require tough decisions to be made.”
However, Buhler argues that the long-term benefits of prioritizing accessibility far outweigh the initial costs. “By prioritizing access, the outcome can elevate the venue and organizational brands, build trust in the community, and make audiences feel so welcomed and comfortable that they want to return over and over again. That provides for long-term sustainable venues that can bring folks together in a meaningful way.”
Buhler also underscores the importance of considering the needs of all individuals who will use event spaces, not just the attendees. “As we work to build design teams and bring stakeholders to the table to hear their aspirations and needs, it’s also important that this commitment to accessibility extends beyond thinking just about the attendees, which at times can be the sole focus,” she says. This holistic approach ensures that everyone, from full-time staff and hourly workers to critical volunteers, board members, vendors, and local and touring artists, can thrive in an environment that respects and accommodates their unique needs.
The building at Syracuse University serves as a model for future venues, demonstrating how thoughtful, inclusive design can create welcoming and functional spaces for everyone. Ordower believes that normalizing neurodiversity, disability and inclusion in design and programming is crucial for the future of venue design. “The more these values are normalized and included in design and programming, the easier it will be to design and operate new venues that also incorporate these design values.”
Clearly, the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building is more than just a venue; it symbolizes what is possible when accessibility and inclusivity are prioritized from the outset. It represents a shift in how our industry’s top professionals are thinking about event spaces and the importance of designing environments that consider and prioritize the needs of all individuals.
Looking ahead, Buhler envisions a future where accessibility and inclusivity are the norm rather than the exception. “By prioritizing access, the outcome can elevate the venue and organizational brands, build trust in the community, and make audiences feel so welcomed and comfortable that they want to return over and over again. That provides for long-term sustainable venues that can bring folks together in a meaningful way.”
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