Environments for Aging - Fall 2017 - 58

REMODEL/RENOVATION COMPETITION
FINALIST

The Forest at Duke Club Room DURHAM, N.C.
Submitted by: CJMW Architecture + Interior
Design WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
Cost per square foot: $127
Like many 30-plus-year-old com-

Reconfigured commons areas create op-

munities, the Forest at Duke's commons

portunities for social interactions. Billiards

areas had seen only minimal renova-

tables share space with bridge and game

tions since opening. The primary

tables, separated from the lounge, living

challenge of a recent master planning

and bar areas of the club room by resin

effort was to completely transform and

panels that delineate while maintaining the

modernize the existing commons areas:

feel of communal space. Lounge areas offer

club, lounge, dining, café, library. With a

a place to bring coffee and quietly chat or

population coming largely from retirees

curl up with a good book and blanket.

from nearby universities and nationally

In response to the owner's goals, the

known healthcare centers, expectations

design supports social interaction, deliver-

for both service and environment were

ing a sense of comfort and belonging but

high.

with a fresh, forward-looking edge to

Existing spaces were choppy, from

attract potential residents. Stacked rock

faux-Italianate to English gentlemans'

fireplaces anchor each space; high volume

club; part of the challenge was to create

ceilings allow a flood of light without glare.

a more cohesive and up-to-date visual

The palette is neutral spiced with accent

identity. Along with the focus on change

colors; patterns and texture add richness

came a need to gently navigate the more

and interest.

entrenched patterns of existing residents
who, in some cases, had "claimed" a particular room (the billiards room) as their
own. The design team was charged with
re-creating spaces to disrupt some of
these ingrained behavior patterns without making the disruption apparent.
With new leadership coming on
board mid-project, budget was also a
challenge. Financing had already been
released and could not be adjusted; as a
result, funding was stretched to accommodate the shift in operational focus. In
addition, tight timeframes were a critical
factor in material selections and fabrication details. The team pre-vetted all
selections for stock availability and lead
time even as they worked to rebrand

Jury comments:
* Relocating the space makes it
become a more resident social
environment. It is a bright and airy
space.
* Clubroom renovation with high
ceiling is nice.
* Color and materiality accentuate
the function and spirit of each of the
spaces. Daylight plays a significant
role in informing the use of color,
pattern, and texture.
* This has the most dramatic change! It
definitely has a more modern
look and feel.
The design
flows more
easily into each
space without
overdoing it.

and reimagine the existing space.

BEFORE

58

Environments for Aging * special supplement

Design team: Alan Moore,
AIA, project principal; Kathleen
Warner, IIDA, LEED AP, interior
design principal; Ashley Coe,
interior designer; Taylor Ghost,
interior designer; Gary Hall,
project administrator
Photography: ©2016
RHWilson Photography (after
images)

BEFORE
Environments for Aging - Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Environments for Aging - Fall 2017
