The Caleb Hitchcock Memory Care Neighborhood at Duncaster Retirement Community - Bloomfield, CT
Bloomfield, CT Amenta Emma Architects is pleased to announce that two of its senior living projects have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects Design for Aging Review (AIA DFAR).
The Caleb Hitchcock Memory Care Neighborhood at Duncaster Retirement Community was honored with a Special Recognition Award. The addition to an existing assisted living memory care neighborhood adds twelve-resident rooms and incorporates “small house project” concepts which offer a model for long-term care designed to look and feel like a real home. Connection to nature was a driving force in the design concept. This was emphasized by “bringing the outside in” through an abundance of natural light in every space, corner windows that provide two sided views in resident rooms, and a focused view of a majestic 100-year-old oak tree that is known on campus as “the Charter Oak” that became an organizing element in the design.
The jury said, “The project reflects a thoughtful solution to current memory care research. They were able to use a combination of technology and connection to nature in this innovative triangularly designed house. Overall, Caleb Hitchcock Memory Care is a positive solution to current memory care research.”
The project was exhibited last month at the senior living Leading Age 2017 Annual Conference in New Orleans and will also be exhibited at upcoming AIA conferences held in several locations in 2017-2018.
The Burnham Family Memory Care Residence at Avery Heights in Hartford, also received recognition for being a “project that offers distinction and notable competency.” Avery Heights is a 45-acre Life-Plan Community, but its 26-year-old facilities had no space or services for an increasing population of residents suffering from dementia. The renovation of a 10,000 s/f independent living apartment wing now provides a secure memory care environment for a population previously closed off to opportunity and allowing them to be in an active, engaging living space.
Both projects will be published in the “Design for Aging Review, 14th Edition,” a reference for providers, developers, users, advocates, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and other design professionals.