ASSISTED LIVING
Masonic Homes, The Pavilion at Acacia Creek
The owner needed to expand its assisted living and memory care services on the Masonic Homes campus, but only one potential site remained available for the new Pavilion at Acacia Creek building—a narrow, sloping lot adjacent to a protected riparian zone. The design team’s challenge was to design the new facility on this piece of land as a welcoming, residential environment with maximum daylight, views and accessibility to the outdoors—even on the sloped lot. The interior and exterior needed to feel relative to the existing campus architecture, and the design needed to include as much additional parking as possible since parking was already constrained for the campus. The design team was able to achieve this by designing a below grade parking level, which also generated sun protection and discreet delivery services. On the Memory Care floor, the design team was challenged to provide good sight lines for staff oversight of the residents, as well as provide separate and controlled access to Memory Care though a shared building entry with Assisted Living. Additionally, the interior surfaces and materials needed to be attractive, yet durable and easily maintained.
On each floor, the main entrance leads into a large living room with a fireplace that encourages residents to gather, and an open kitchen where they can observe or share in meal preparation. Secure outdoor patios and smaller activity rooms provide additional communal space.
The connection to nature, through maximum daylight, views and accessibility to the outdoors, is a key amenity of The Pavilion. Residents’ wellbeing is heightened with this closeness to the outdoors, affecting their long-term happiness and health.