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Inclusive Design Recognized: New Energy Works Named Top Project Awardee for the Pavilion at the Motion Junction Playground
New Energy Works has been named an official honoree in the Rochester Business Journal’s 2025 Top Project Awards for their central role in the development and construction of the Pavilion at the Motion Junction Playground in Canandaigua, NY.
A Landmark of Inclusive Design
- First of its kind: Motion Junction opened in June 2022 as the first isUD™-certified universally designed playground in the United States, setting a new benchmark for inclusivity beyond ADA requirements. The Pavilion was completed in June 2024.
- Collaborative impact: The project was made possible through a broad partnership including Inclusion in Motion, the IDEA Center at the University at Buffalo, eco_Logic Studio, and hundreds of community volunteers. Together, these efforts demonstrate how design and collaboration can transform access to play.
- Signature contribution: New Energy Works designed and constructed the timber-framed pavilion, a structurally innovative and architecturally distinctive centerpiece that anchors the playground as a true community gathering space.
Why This Award Matters
The Top Project Award not only recognizes excellence in construction, but it also affirms the growing importance of universal design in community development. Motion Junction continues to serve as a replicable model for municipalities and organizations seeking to create public environments that are equitable, welcoming, and sustainable.
IDEA Center's Role in the Project
As part of this collaboration, the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA Center) at the University at Buffalo and isUD™ (innovative solutions for Universal Design) contributed research, design, and technical guidance to ensure the playground met the highest standards of inclusivity. By integrating universal design solutions from concept to completion, our role helped ensure Motion Junction could serve as a demonstration site for inclusive environments nationwide.
This award is not only a recognition of New Energy Works’ craftsmanship, but also a reflection of what is possible when designers, builders, researchers, and communities unite around a shared vision of accessibility and universal design.
