Environments for Aging - Spring 2015 - 72

EFA DESIGN SHOWCASE
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Friendship Village of South Hills UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA.
Submitted by: C.C. Hodgson Architectural Group CLEVELAND, Kraus-Anderson
Construction Co. MINNEAPOLIS, Saxton Inc. DES MOINES, IOWA, AND Rippe Associates MINNEAPOLIS
For the community that
describes itself as, "We don't take
retirement lying down," Friendship Village of South Hills took
the same approach to a major repositioning strategy. First opened
in 1984, the CCRC is located on
73 acres near Pittsburgh. Feeling
its age and fully understanding
that its architecture was dated and
did not reflect the quality or spirit
of the community, a dynamic and
collaborative master plan was undertaken to create a market-ready
community known for its holistic
approach to living well.

Project category: New construction & remodel/renovation
Chief administrator: Russ Firewicz
Firms: C.C. Hodgson Architectural Group, www.ccharch.com; Kraus-Anderson Construction Co., www.krausanderson.
com; Saxton Inc., www.saxtoninc.com; Rippe Associates, www.robertrippe.com
Design team: C.C. Hodgson Architectural Group (architect and master planner); Kraus-Anderson Construction Co.
(construction manager); Saxton Inc. (interior designer and procurement firm); Rippe Associates (foodservice
designer)
Photography: ©2015 Ed Massery
Number/type of housing units: 295 independent living, 89 skilled care, 19 memory care
Total building area (sq. ft.): 14,196 (new), 25,831 (renovation)
Construction cost/sq. ft.: $285 (new), $206 (renovation)
Total construction cost (excluding land): $4 million (new), $5.3 million (renovation)
Completed: September 2014
72

Environments for Aging * special supplement

At a higher level, Lifespace
Communities, the parent organization, had rebranded from its
founding name and was undergoing a corporate repositioning that
outlined specific goals for each
of its communities, including
alternative dining that became a
central element of the new master
plan.
Based on community tours and
meetings, it was apparent that the
highest priority was the wellness
center and alternative dining, with
an additional focus on improving the health center, expanding
residential options, and increasing their campus' presence in the
area. Building additions would
need to be considered and their
placement on the restrictive site
with its ravine and rolling hills
would become a driving element
of the master planning process. A
dynamic charrette that engaged
more than 30 participants representing residents and staff created
an option that generated high
interest because it not only met
their initial goals, but provided
opportunities to transform the
entry image and create a central
hub in the commons areas.
The resulting master plan was
broken down into four phases for
minimal disruption to this active
community. Implementing a major
renovation on an occupied campus poses many concerns not only
for residents but for employees
and visitors, as well. The carefully
planned sequencing of the phasing
focused on first completing the
lower level that featured a new
bistro, library, media center, and
fitness center before starting the
major disruption of the main floor,
which included substantial new
dining options, an updated and
expanded kitchen, a new porte
cochère entrance, and construction of a new St. Clair auditorium

http://www.ccharch.com http://www.krausanderson.com/ http://www.saxtoninc.com http://www.robertrippe.com

Environments for Aging - Spring 2015

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