C.W. Driver Companies Completes New $5.4 Million State-of-the-Art Building for Braille Institute Anaheim Center

C.W. Driver Companies, an AGC of California and San Diego Chapter member, recently announced the completion of the Braille Institute Anaheim Center, a 14,700-square-foot building on the institute’s existing campus. The new state-of-the-art building replaces the institute’s former multi-structure facility and provides a larger unified space optimized to serve more visually impaired children, adults and seniors from Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

With the goal of helping Braille Institute improve its ability to help foster independence and confidence among those who are blind or have vision loss, C.W. Driver Companies tapped into its experience constructing specialized buildings and spaces for schools, universities and civic entities to build the institute’s new center.

“To create an inspiring and purposeful resource for the visually impaired community in Orange County, our team leaned into our experience building modern specialized facilities to deliver a unique setting for education and gathering,” said Aimee Seimianowski, vice president of Driver SPG. “The expanded areas for programs and events at the improved Braille Institute, such as a low vision specialist room and a sight impaired training apartment, will play key roles in enabling the organization to continue teaching and providing support to those faced with vision impairment.”

The Braille Institute’s new Anaheim structure provides a modern look and feel, featuring exposed roof trusses, an open center courtyard and custom fountain. The interior includes a 2,500-square-foot learning resource center featuring a library, computer lab, low vision consultation area and counseling space, as well as designated areas for Braille reading education and self-defense training. There is also a 2,100-square-foot multipurpose room, four classrooms, an art and ceramics studio, training kitchen and multiple technology labs. Gardens and gathering spots surround the exterior of the building, where there is also a dog run and open-air courtyard.

Located at 527 N. Dale Avenue, the Braille Institute Anaheim Center provides access to public transit and is designed to accommodate easy drop-off access for the center’s students. Ware Malcomb provided architectural design services, delivering a space the institute can use to expand its services, classes, workshops and special events.

“The completion of our new regional center in Anaheim is a tremendous milestone for Braille Institute as we celebrate our 100th year,” said Peter Mindnich, president of the Braille Institute. “We are working to bring additional vision rehabilitation services to Orange County, and the opening of this state-of-the-art facility is a major step in the process.”

The Braille Institute Anaheim Center adds to C.W. Driver Companies’ portfolio of recently completed projects in Orange County, which include Chapman University’s Keck Center for Science and Engineering; City of Laguna Niguel’s Crown Valley Park Community Building; Vanguard University’s Student Union and Irvine USD’s Cadence Park School.

C.W. Driver Companies is a premier builder serving California since 1919. The historic company proudly celebrates its 100-year anniversary this year. As a leader in general contracting and construction management services, C.W. Driver Companies are on the cutting edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including education, commercial/office, technology, healthcare/biomedical, mixed-use, assisted living, entertainment, retail, industrial and civic. C.W. Driver Companies has the ability to build a variety of projects, from large tenant improvements to small renovations and specialized projects through its affiliates Driver SPG and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver Companies has offices located in Los Angeles, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, San Diego, Carlsbad and San Jose. For more information, please visit www.cwdriver.com. Follow C.W. Driver Companies on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.