Aug 30, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

HDR to Help Identify Site/Plan Space for Wounded Combat Vets’ Residence

Wounded Warriors Family Support, an Omaha-based national nonprofit, has retained HDR to help identify the space planning and site requirements for a new residential home in rural Douglas County for those wounded in combat.

The residence, called the Dunham House, will accommodate combat-wounded veterans who require various levels of care resulting from traumatic brain injuries. Design elements will focus on health and wellness, views of the rural landscape, accessibility and family living—all in a campus-like setting.

“Many young soldiers’ and Marines’ mothers are their primary caregivers. What will happen to them when their mothers can no longer care for them? Where will they go?” asked Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Folsom, who founded Wounded Warriors Family Support and is spearheading the project. “We have identified an emerging and urgent requirement and we will meet it head on. With the support of Americans, we will provide a home for our combat-wounded veterans who need our help.”

Current alternatives for combat-wounded veterans with no family support are assisted living centers and veterans’ homes, which tend to be populated by older residents and those who don’t have the same combat experience.

“HDR is excited to partner with Wounded Warriors Family Support and Project Advocates on this very important project that embraces our local disabled veterans,” said Robert Hailey, lead architect and project manager. “In fact, HDR’s lead designer, Michael Hamilton and I are both war veterans ourselves. We’re excited to lead the charge on the design of this residence, which will provide disabled veterans with the best quality of life for their unyielding sacrifice to our country.”

Hal Daub, who serves on Wounded Warriors Family Support’s board and building committee, said he’s confident that the organization will be able to raise an estimated $6 to $10 million to cover the cost of building the residence and to create an endowment for ongoing operations. The organization has committed up to $150,000 for the initial planning and preparation stages, and has hired Project Advocates, a project management firm, to work alongside HDR during the planning phase.

The Dunham House was named in honor of Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, who served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines,1st Marine Division. A recipient of the Medal of Honor, he died in 2005 of injuries he suffered when protecting fellow Marines in Husaybah, Iraq.

About Wounded Warriors Family Support
Our mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. The families of our casualties suffer in many ways: some financially, some psychologically. More information can be found at wwfs.org and dunhamhouse.org.

About HDR
For more than a century, HDR has partnered with clients to shape communities and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our expertise spans nearly 10,000 employees, in more than 200 locations around the world — and counting. Our engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services bring an impressive breadth of knowledge to every project. Our optimistic approach to finding innovative solutions defined our past and drives our future.