June 99
security systems. It should be constructed of durable building materials
and have finishes that require little maintenance.
There are basic functional aspects that are common to all national
cemetery administration/ maintenance facilities. Each national cemetery
is a part of a greater whole, and exists to provide the same services to
veterans and their families. Regional and geographic uniqueness should
be recognized in the design of cemetery structures with regard to climate,
materials, etc.
Flexibility is an important consideration in the design of the
Administration/ Maintenance Complex. Changing workload can require
additional, or reconfigured administrative space. Changes in personnel
(average stay of cemetery directors is three years) may also generate
changes in office layout. The design should permit adaptation to changing
needs at minimal cost, without large scale remodeling. The design and
siting of administration space should allow for future expansion primarily in
the general office area.
Siting
The Administration and Maintenance operations are to be viewed as a
complex, and situated to encourage interaction between the two. They
may be physically attached, or located close to each other on the site in a
way that facilitates the necessary interaction. Total integration of the
building with the site is important to keep the building from being a focus or
feature of the cemetery. Although the administration building is not a place
of regular visitor contact, maintenance activities that take place at the
building must be sheltered from public view.
A desirable location for the complex is central to the site. Locate
the maintenance areas, so that they are not readily visible to the public.
Site the complex optimally for functional operations, separate from the
Public Information Center and Interment Areas. Utilizing the terrain and
landscape in the design should lessen the visual impact of this facility on
the cemetery.
Space Planning Criteria
Space planning criteria for National Cemetery administration and
maintenance buildings are addressed in VA Handbook 7610, Chapters
701 and 703. It provides the net square footage recommended to meet
the needs of a VA national cemetery building. The scope of work for a
particular project will contain the building program, based on the cemetery
workload staffing and the space planning criteria.
VA Design Guide -- National Cemetery Administration
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