Challenge
Design a space that allowed cognitive impaired residents the ability to freely and comfortably engage the outdoors while keeping them safe and secure within the facility grounds. Historically, nursing wings within memory care facilities are simple hallways with rooms lining either side. The client’s desire for M.W. Steele Group was to design cottages into its own secure, identifiable complex complete with a natural landscape and gardens.
Inspiration
What if personalized memory care could exist in a place as warm, bright and inviting as a cherished summer cottage? That was the dream of Summer House at Wesley Palms.
Solutions
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Each cottage was outfitted with a front porch, providing shade and the residents the ability to enjoy the outside air from the comfort of their home. Each unit included planters and garden features.
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The landscape was designed in order to allow residents to walk through the looped patterned garden and was equipped with resting benches throughout.
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The commons area includes a full kitchen that was set-up to function as a gathering space amongst residents and their families. The farm style table and full functioning kitchen was incorporated to more closely resemble a space that felt like home.
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The cottages were strategically placed nearest to the main building that serves the entire Wesley Palms campus for quick staff access.
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The nursing station was located where the staff could have a full view of grounds so that they could more easily see everything taking place outdoors.
Success
The resulting remodeled Summer House is a unique 35,000 square foot memory care neighborhood serving people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias within 22 technology-enhanced cottages, consisting of approximately 11,490 square feet, encircling a fragrant courtyard of tranquil pathways, sweeping views and abundant sunshine.
Summer House has been awarded the Silver Medal by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Best of 50+ Remodeled Projects Of The Year 2014.
