Projects
Brethren Village – Short-Term Rehabilitation Center
Lititz, PA
This renovation to create a new rehabilitation center focused on biophilic design principles to foster connections with nature—whether sunlight, organic materials, outdoor views or nature photography. Stone tile feature walls in patient suites and common areas, translucent resin panels incorporating botanical elements and bright splashes of color throughout create an uplifting, restorative environment that functions as a silent partner, reinforcing the delivery of quality care.
Photo credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Wilbur Factory Redevelopment
Lititz, Pennsylvania
This project reinvented a decommissioned chocolate factory complex, built over 100 years ago, into a multi-use downtown development. The redevelopment project is anchored by the iconic Wilbur Chocolate Factory, which is being repurposed into an upscale hotel, market, restaurant and luxury condominiums. The complex will also be home to The Lofts at Lititz Springs, a new 55+ satellite housing option for Pleasant View Communities, a nearby retirement community, as well as market-rate apartments. The vision for the project encompasses varied uses to ultimately bring more people into this thriving downtown to live, shop, dine and stay.
Redeveloping a Downtown Chocolate Factory Complex
The former Wilbur Chocolate Factory was comprised of a dozen different buildings added to the original structure over the decades. The adaptive re-use solution preserved the most historically and architecturally significant portions of the buildings and removed the later industrial additions that lacked aesthetic value and were competing for daylight on an already crowed site. The additions and new structures on the site blend with the old by echoing the roof lines and window placement. Additionally, materials such as red brick are featured throughout both the exterior and interior of the buildings and iron railings are repeated on both existing and new construction.
Fitting Diverse Uses on a Tight Site Squeezed Between a Functioning Rail Line and Town Streets
Breathing room was carved out of the chocolate factory by removing parts of the building that had less architectural value to make room for a series of entry experiences. Starting at Broad Street, the public entrances to both the restaurant and marketplace echo the former street-facing retail component of the factory and embraces the fabric of the town. Progressing deeper into the site, a former loading dock and 1970s addition were removed to form the main courtyard entrance for the hotel and public entrance to the condominiums. Around the corner, a former parking lot is being converted to The Lofts 55+ housing, extending the town streetscape and directly connecting those residences to the new amenities.
The 26 unique condo residences take advantage of the exposed brick and heavy timber structure to create unique, luxury living quarters with views of the adjacent park. Likewise, the 74-room boutique hotel complements the personality and style of Lititz. “The Wilbur” pays homage to the historic chocolate brand that is a big part the community heritage and provides upscale guest rooms and amenities within the framework of these historic buildings. Adding to an already thriving retail and food culture in Lititz, the design also includes a new 150-seat restaurant and food marketplace along Broad Street. This new building addition has been carefully designed to be a good architectural neighbor to the well-established fabric of downtown Lititz.
AIA Central Pennsylvania – Honor Award for Design Excellence | Publication in Environments for Aging Design Showcase
Swope Care Center at Masonic Homes of Kentucky
Louisville, KY
This two-story, 136-bed care center is more than triple the size of the previous nursing facility. Rather than an increase in the number of beds, the spacious new center accommodates dedicated households that branch off of a lively Main Street, animated by a café, library and multi-purpose room. Bay windows in resident rooms not only expand outdoor views, but also provide space for a two-person table to accommodate in-room dining, if desired. In shared suites each bedroom has its own door to preserve residents’ privacy and dignity. The new care center also includes a physical therapy and 12-chair dialysis center adjacent to the rehab neighborhood.
Awards: Selected for Design Environments for Aging cosponsored by Vendome Group, SAGE, The Center for Health Design and The American Society of Interior Designers
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Brooke Grove
Sandy Spring, MD
The first phase of the rehabilitation wing added 56 beds, with a second phase of 14 beds starting immediately upon completion of Phase I. In addition to a two-story physical therapy gym, a variety of living, activity and dining spaces were included to create a comfortable and appealing environment to promote visits from family and friends. Both the physical environment and programming encourage privacy, independence and choice. The resident rooms include personal vanity areas, accessible roll-in European showers and oversized windows.
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography
The Village at Rockville
Rockville, MD
Multi-phased renovation of the existing 300-bed nursing center includes the conversion of the first floor to 50 assisted living residences and common areas including an 18-bed memory care household with its own courtyard garden. A “Main Street” of activities developed on the first floor includes a library, bank, fitness area, coffee shop, gift shop, beauty shop and chapel. The addition of these assisted living services will fill the intermediate level of care between the existing residential living program and skilled nursing facility and will enable The Village at Rockville to become a full-service Continuing Care Retirement Community.
Award: Exhibition and Publication in AIA/LeadingAge Design for Aging Review
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Asbury Place, Arbor Acres
Winston-Salem, NC
This new three-story, 60-unit assisted living residence embraces both the arts and technology to create an environment rich in amenities and beauty. The gracious residence includes an atrium dining room, commissary, library, fitness/rehabilitation therapy center, multi-purpose room and day spa. Six two-bedroom apartments, expected to accommodate couples, are designed to be convertible into 12 studio apartments if needed to respond to future market needs. The therapy/fitness center includes occupational and physical therapy areas, private treatment rooms and a therapeutic pool with an underwater treadmill. The 2,000 SF spa features not only European showers and spa tubs, but also massage therapy, guided imagery, aromatherapy and towel warmers.
Award: Exhibition and Publication in AIA/LeadingAge Design for Aging Review, Publication in Environments for Aging Design Showcase
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Waverly Heights
Gladwyne, PA
The reinvented health care center, working primarily within the existing building setbacks, “flips” the living spaces so that personal care is now on the main level and directly connected to the community center. A new rooftop garden provides appealing views from neighboring apartment buildings and an outdoor amenity for residents. Interior corridors overlook a center courtyard space formed by building additions creating a secure space for residents with dementia to freely enjoy. To provide future flexibility as needed, resident rooms have been designed to allow for conversion from a skilled nursing room to assisted living and vice versa.
Award: Publication in Environments for Aging Design Showcase
Photo Credits: Larry Lefever Photography & Nathan Cox Photography
Brandermill Woods
Midlothian, VA
The short-term rehabilitation neighborhood, open to both resident and non-residents of Brandermill Woods, is comprised of 22 private rooms with bay windows and private bathrooms. In addition to 24-hour licensed nursing care, the center features restaurant-style dining, a bathing spa, private parlor areas and open living spaces flooded with natural daylight. The existing Health Care Center will also undergo renovations to convert semi-private rooms into private and shared private rooms, as well as redesigning common spaces to exhibit a more home-like environment and support patient centered care.
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography