Artifex has worked with Amicus on renovations in two of their locations in Bangor, ME. The property on 13th street, The Edward J. Bouchea Center for Learning provides individualized support services for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.

This 16,000 sf facility received updated finishes for its 10,000 sf of client space and 6,000 sf of support space for administrative staff. Finishes included new flooring, carpeting, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and cabinetry across a total of 9 classrooms, 20 bathrooms, 8 offices, a shared lobby, and 5 kitchens. Design challenges included kitchen redesigns for increased accessibility, selecting resilient finishes compatible with high traffic from wheelchairs and ambulatory lifts, and addressing moisture migration through the floor slab.

Following this project, Artifex was further retained to provide services for the renovation of Amicus PVI-RLE, a 9,000 sf facility. The Penobscot Valley Industries and Ralph Leek Elders programs provide individualized support services for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, with an emphasis on individual skill-building (PVI) and providing support for older, aging clients (RLE).

Finishes were updated to modernize the facility and create an inviting atmosphere reflective of program values and the mature client base; new flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, and furnishings were placed throughout, with renovations completed in phases to allow for program operations to continue while construction took place during the winter.  In order to accommodate the flexibility instructors and clients required between rooms, Pre-fabricated metal garage cabinets became an important, cost-effective solution for storage and furnishings.  A “kit of parts,” which included workbenches, shelving, storage cabinets, and rolling base cabinets, allowed for materials and program resources to float between rooms, while also allowing instructors the ability to easily purchase more storage capacity as needs evolve over time.