National Industries for the Blind

Alexandria, Virginia

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) commissioned Davis Carter Scott (DCS Design) to design a new headquarters building in Alexandria adjacent to the future Potomac Yard Metro Station. The project is designed to achieve a minimum LEED Silver certification from the USGBC. It will house 10,000 SF of ground-level retail. Approximately 50,000 square feet of the office space is owner-occupied with the balance available for lease.

NIB promotes the employment of blind individuals in the US. The exciting challenge in designing the new headquarters space was to create a highly functional, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for both blind and sighted employees and visitors.

Design of the new space strategically uses colors, textures, and lighting to define circulation throughout the offices and to create a comfortable and pleasant experience for individuals with all degrees of blindness. Similarly, the light sources, both natural and artificial, are flexible and controllable to allow for maximum comfort for blind and sighted individuals.

The space includes a 50 person, highly flexible conference room with a large breakout area and a full catering pantry. Other features include a rooftop terrace, a fitness center, a showroom for NIB products, and a computer lab.

100,000 SF building
10,000 SF ground floor retail
138-car below-grade parking garage