Tacoma, WA
Amara Master Plan
Amara acquired 29 acres in the Summit‑Waller area of unincorporated Pierce County to develop resources for children and families impacted by foster care, family separation, and related trauma. AHBL led the master planning effort, developing multiple feasible plan alternatives in close collaboration with Amara. The team evaluated opportunities for walkways and trails that support nature exploration and education while protecting designated wetlands, and planned outdoor classroom spaces and staging areas with weather protection for summer and after‑school programming, including wilderness training and camping. The master plan also incorporated Amara’s vision for an indoor‑outdoor flexible multi‑use building accommodating groups of 20–250 for programmatic use and special events, as well as designated areas for small‑scale farming compatible with wetland conditions, including irrigation needs, water sources, greenhouse and hoop‑house areas, and adjacent sheltered educational spaces.
AHBL’s civil engineers designed site access and circulation to support safe and efficient drop‑off and pick‑up for childcare and youth programs while minimizing pedestrian‑vehicle conflicts, and planned above‑ground parking, roadways, and gravel access to support ongoing site maintenance. AHBL also collaborated with the project architect to program an indoor facility that includes reception and waiting areas; family and youth programming rooms; administrative workstations; small phone and meeting rooms; two larger meeting rooms; lactation rooms; de‑escalation and cool‑down spaces; and a three‑classroom on‑site childcare facility.
Family Photo: Amara
Renderings: Northwest Studio
Teaming Partners
- Owner: Amara
- Architect: Northwest Studio
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