Sparkflight Studios

Viewing south at our Wardelle Street Townhouses project as buildings near completion. Affordable housing is needed now more than ever due to the impact of COVID-19. Our Wardelle Street Townhouses project for the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority provides 57 affordable units to a market in need. Access to stable, decent, affordable, and accessible housing is essential for one's wellbeing. Late afternoon light illuminates the west facade of Building 1. Landscaping is in place along parts of Wardelle Street.

430 Pico Affordable Housing, Brooks + Scarpa The impact of COVID-19 has been especially severe on low-income and those of modest economic means, and the lack of affordable housing places additional pressure on house prices and rent rates, further eroding affordability. Attaining a vibrant housing market depends heavily on whether the market can provide a broader and more affordable range of housing options for tomorrow’s households. As reported on Habitat for Humanity’s website , based on a 2019 report: “The latest data shows that nearly 38 million households nationwide — 31.5% of all households — are paying more than 30% of their incomes on housing. That’s 20.5 million renters and 17.3 million homeowners. This is just a slight half-percentage point drop from the previous year. Homeowners saw nearly all of the modest improvement, while a near-record share of renters — 47.4% — still face unaffordable rents. In the nation’s hottest housing market areas, those struggling with unaffordabil...

Are you concerned that your property may not be in compliance with the current accessibility requirements?  Invest three to four hours with a professional architect that is familiar with Americans with Disabilities Act, HUD , Fair Housing and state/local accessibility requirements.   We use current standards to evaluate your existing property, project or design documents and provide recommendations to bring your property in compliance with applicable code.  For older properties fixes can include "readily achievable" barrier removal, while newer properties are required to fully comply.  Equip yourself with the knowledge to reduce your liability. We can provide framework for new property acquisition as well as existing properties.  An accessibility report can also be provided with our real estate feasibility consultations .  For a typical accessibility consultation, we spend two to three hours at your property and perform a comprehensive evaluation o...

Entrance to the MTC It's been worth the wait!  After over three years of planning, designing and building, the RTC's Mobility Training Center (MTC) held its grand opening last week.  Our office contributed to 9,800 square feet of murals for the project.  We're excited to see how this asset to the community helps southern Nevadans gain greater independence with mobility and life skills.   Per the RTC's website, " Mobility training is meant to aid people in developing the confidence necessary to travel independently" on fixed route transit systems rather than relying on paratransit options. Read more about the project here... Jean Peyton opens Angela's House Angela's House is a bonus in the MTC.  Developed by Blindconnect , the "house" is accessed through a facade designed to look like an apartment building, and contains the rooms typically found in a residence such as living, kitchen, laundry, bedrooms, and bathroom.  Accordi...

Over a year and a half of efforts by our design team are coming to fruition with over 9,000 square feet of installed graphic murals! Red Rock Mural © 2015 Anne Johnson AIA Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada ( RTC ) is currently expanding their Sunset Maintenance Facility, including a 14,700 square foot Mobility Training Center designed by Gensler Nevada and constructed by Sletten Construction of Nevada .  The new training center will teach RTC's paratransit clients to move more independently throughout the city.  The Center is designed to simulate a person's interaction with the outside environment.  Obstacles and views that a person navigating the city will frequently encounter are included such as bus stops, ramps, commercial buildings, residential complexes, and the beautiful surrounding mountain ranges. Our studio designed 25-feet high interior murals to create a city street effect and also simulate the views a transit rider would see acro...

Rulon Earl - Community Center Lounge and Computer Bar Residents at Rulon Earl Manor will be treated to a Grand Opening event for the newly remodeled Rulon Earl Community Center this December. Rulon Earl - Entry View We're pleased to complete this 2,200 SF exterior and interior remodel for wheelchair and general accessibility requirements for a 1979-built community center and surrounding site.  Improvements include Audex systems for hearing impairment and braile and tactile signage, dumpster enclosure improvements for accessibility, and modification of concrete flatwork for sidewalks, curbing and ramps.  Landscaping was upgraded adjacent to new accessible route through Phase I community and 88,000 SF of interior streets were repaved. Rulon Earl - Community Center Floor Plan Materials were selected for ease of maintenance, longevity,  and a contemporary look.  Exterior and interior were finished with a bright yet sophisticated color palette to enliven ...

As discovered on a recent visit to Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport, bottle fillers are becoming a more commonplace way to hydrate.  According to the Pacific Institute , global sales of bottled water are growing faster than any other beverage.  If you must buy a bottle, refill it for seconds.  Better yet, get a reusable bottle in BPA-free plastic, steel, aluminum or even glass. Ready for a refill? Elkay EZH20 bottle filling station has a fill rate of 1.1 gallon-per minute (gpm) for a refrigerated unit, which is three times faster than a standard drinking fountain.     The unit is sensor-activated, so users don’t have to touch anything. The bottle can be held or placed on the designed platform to balance the bottle as it is being filled. The intuitive, touchless operation helps keep the station clean and germ free. What makes Elkay EZH20 bottle filling station appealing? It fills bottles with filtered water in seconds and providing sustainable benefits b...

Since March of this year, we’ve been working with the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority to upgrade some single-family properties to comply with UFAS/ADA and local codes.   Click here to see where we started. It’s been rewarding to know that individuals with disabilities will enjoy a better quality of life with their families in homes designed to accommodate them. Take a look at these before/after transformations to see the incredible change. Contact us any time if you’re interested in learning more about the process, or what we can do to assist you with property upgrades. Read more about our public housing projects by clicking here and scrolling down... MC Mojave Construction is the contractor. Before & After photos by Henri Sagalow Photography

Along with meeting requirements to comply with UFAS/ADA and local codes, our design work is mindful of a special livable quality of life essential to the success of the remodel of five Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) properties. Accessibility for occupant-mobility begins with street side landscaping that is navigable and inviting. Our design work for these five scattered sites in Henderson and Las Vegas includes re-grading and concrete work, full exterior repairs and painting, full interior finishes, replacement of kitchen and bath fixtures and cabinetry, as well as provision of hard-wired smoke detectors and audio/visual doorbell alert systems for the hearing impaired.  The design chosen for the interior includes soft and neutral colors creating a cozy atmosphere. Neutral beiges are selected for the flooring and wall treatment, while warm chestnut stains and deep brown laminates finish the cabinetry and countertops. The transfer showers are covered i...

Accessibility covers a broad range of needs, including the elderly, persons in wheelchairs, the blind, and persons with other disabilities. Unfortunately, non-accessible properties can expose property owners and managers to litgation.  Have you ever heard of someone falling because of a lack of railings on a property or broken concrete sidewalks?       Property owners and managers often find themselves in need of cost-effective non-accessibility mitigation to address these hazardous and illegal situations. Together with civil engineer Ken Erlanger of KJE Consulting Engineers, we are using our expertise to provide solutions.   Homeowner's Associations (HOA), Residential Property Management groups, and Commercial Property Development groups, among others, can all benefit from a consultation.  Call us for assistance with your or your clients' needs. Anne Johnson, AIA design services include ADA, building code and feasib...