Maine Veterans’ Homes in Augusta, ME was an interior architecture & design project for our organization with the goal of adopting a new concept, the ‘small-house,’ as a more innovative, caring way to provide assisted living, long-term care, and memory care for Veterans in a more intimate and residential setting. Adopting the small-house model allowed this new nursing home building to become home to 138 Maine veterans. The overall goal was to transform the previous institutional model of care to a person-centered model of care through evidence-based design, innovative care, and onsite research with the incoming residents and staff. The veteran residents now live in 12 residential houses connected to a community center. It is often difficult for aging seniors to enjoy the surrounding community, so this project brought the community to them to expand their world. The community center has a Main Street with a barber shop, bank, bistro, children’s park, chapel, theater and easy & convenient access to outdoor amenities.
Upon entering the community center, you immediately know you’re in a special place – a place that honors Maine veterans and fosters a community outside and within. The metal sculpture greeting you at the lobby fireplace has two soldiers that salute all that enter the building.
The Main Street storefronts resemble stores a resident may have visited in their own hometown. The theater was inspired by a local historic theater. The chapel emulates classic churches across Maine.
At the bistro, residents, families, and staff can enjoy time together. Residents benefit from a way to interact with their loved ones while improving their health and well-being.
Beyond Main Street and the town center, the building branches out into the twelve unique ‘small-houses’ where the residents live. Each house has a distinct style that channels memories of home in Maine; from a farmhouse to a seaside resort.
Each home in Memory Care has a welcoming residential style kitchen as the heart of the home where residents can see, smell, and help prepare meals.
The Memory Care living spaces were designed with socialization and activities in mind. Residents can gather here for cards, television, board games, and more with their neighbors. Resident wellness is of the utmost importance, so clinical functions and spaces still exist in the houses, but were designed to be integrated in the living spaces in a less clinical way.
Residents can gather for cards, television, board games, and more with their neighbors right by the fronts of their rooms. The view outside features the house courtyard, ensuring the outdoors is never more than a short walk away.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more can be addressed at the on-site gym. The facility feature state-of-the-art treatments including a zero-gravity balance harness and therapy pool.
A classic barbershop is available to the residents at the end of Main Street. A special destination for residents and visitors alike! A popular stop next to the Bistro that offers the perfect treat.