SKILLED NURSING / POST-ACUTE CARE RENOVATION / REPOSITIONING
ArchCare senior life pace harlem
ArchCare — The Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York — delivers compassionate, person-centered care across the continuum. Guided by this mission, we repurposed two former skilled-nursing floors into a community-based PACE center (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) that helps older adults remain independent at home and in their neighborhoods — preventing or delaying nursing home placement. This project exemplifies adaptive reuse with purpose. Where double-loaded corridors and high-acuity rooms once dominated, we created a walkable, rollable indoor “Main Street” that supports participants across the mobility spectrum — those who are fully ambulatory as well as people using wheelchairs, walkers, and other devices. The former institutional footprint now offers small, destination-rich venues that invite movement and self-direction: a movie theater, arts studio, vintage-style diner, salon/barber, library, and a flexible dining/activities room that converts for chapel/theater programming. Independence is designed in for everyone.
Common Room Before | After
Dining Before | After
The new environment replaces passive, single-room day spaces with a sequence of small, purpose-built venues that encourage movement and self-direction: a movie theater, arts and crafts studio, vintage-style diner, salon/barber, library, and flexible dining/activities room that converts for chapel/theater functions. This streetscape model offers meaningful options throughout the day, allowing participants to set their own pace, build confidence through frequent short walks, and engage with peers in settings that match their energy and interests.
The temperate California climate also encourages an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, inspiring our members to enjoy
outdoor dining and lounging next to the fireplace in our courtyard.
“Main Street” Before | After
The design channels the energy of a neighborhood Main Street—movement, variety, and a touch of nostalgia—translated into an indoor streetscape of small, distinct “storefront” venues. Warm materials, storefront cues, intuitive wayfinding, and a walkable loop promote exploration and social connection while honoring quiet, restorative spaces. Culturally attuned details reflect the identities of participants from East Harlem and across Manhattan, creating a setting that feels familiar, welcoming, and empowering.
Designed to offer each member an elevated and engaged life, including the Elegant Palmer Library and Lobby.