4/4 FAST FACTS
| Project Type: | Interior Alterations & Design |
| Use: | Business – Ice Cream Shop |
| Location: | Bethlehem, PA |
| Team: | Intini Construction Services (GC), Systems Design Engineering (MEP) |
Get Joy Ice Cream & Coffee is a locally owned business built around a mission of inclusion, accessibility, and community. The project transformed a commercial interior into a welcoming environment that supports both customers and employees while creating meaningful workforce development opportunities for individuals with different abilities.
Working closely with owner Sara Heintzelman, the completed project demonstrates how thoughtful design can strengthen a business’s mission by creating spaces that are functional, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone.
Challenges and Requirements
- Universal accessibility: Ensure the interior is fully accessible for both employees and customers.
- Inclusive workplace: Design a door-preparation space that makes it as easy as possible for people of all abilities to make ice cream and beverages.
- Keep mission in mind: Have every design choice reflect functionality, inclusivity, and the welcoming environment that Get Joy wants to provide.
The design of the employee space considered how to make operations to serve ice cream and beverages easier for all abilities, such as providing accessible counter heights.
APPROACH
- Layout considerations: Develop an interior layout that puts customers and employees in close proximity, so they can share in the process of serving ice cream
- Customer experience: Utilize clean finishes and consistent colors to create a warm, welcoming environment, and provide lots of seating so people will linger.
- Make it for everyone: Preparation space has design details that make it as inclusive as possible to people of all abilities, such as custom appliances and lots of space for teamwork and communication.
A window from the production area shares the process of making ice cream with visitors, both young and old.
RESULTS
- Accessible workplace: Employees with different abilities have increased empowerment to serve ice cream in a way they may not be able in another space.
- Welcoming atmosphere: Provides a safe, welcoming and comfortable space that engages community.
- Mission realized: Successfully realized the owner’s vision of providing meaningful workforce development opportunities for individuals with different abilities
