Guide Dogs for the Blind

San Rafael, CA

On its San Rafael campus, Guide Dogs for the Blind raises service dogs and trains the visually impaired to partner with them. SBA designed a reorganized campus master plan, featuring a new LEED Silver-equivalent Welcome Center and Residence Building. By considering the diverse needs of the Guide Dogs community and implementing universal design principles throughout the design process, SBA and Guide Dogs for the Blind worked together to create an inclusive and unique living/learning environment.

Folding forms and simple, durable materials characterize the architecture; warm wood siding and zinc roofing merge visually with the natural landscape. Deep roof overhangs, layers of glass, and daylit corridors provide transparency and natural ventilation. Rainwater is collected and used for irrigation and filtered in bio-retention planting areas around the building. Overall, it is a serene, beautiful place for learning, thoughtfully crafted and sustainably designed for the needs of the visually impaired and their service animals. The campus will serve the needs of the Guide Dogs organization long into the future.

Photography: Ken Gutmaker Photography