Environments for Aging - Spring 2017 - 63

The Muhlenberg Apartment
Building common area, originally
built in 2000, had a décor that was
dark and dated. The design was
compartmentalized with enclosed
rooms dedicated to specific uses.
The layout did not encourage social
interaction and prevented natural
light from penetrating the space
beyond the rooms on the building perimeter. By reimagining the
space, Luther Acres gained features
that will benefit not only existing
residents, but appeal to the next
generation as well. The many contemporary finishes resulted in a chic
end product that brought the design
into the future. One of the most
remarked upon features is a bubble
wall which adds ambient sound
as well as color. The desire was to
convey the vitality of the lifestyle
available to residents of this thriving
community.
Consistent with the open nature
of the common space, the new
restaurant, The Round, has an open
flow right from the building lobby
with a visible food prep area worthy
of any Food Network program. Table
seating combined with booths and
banquettes provide variety in dining
experiences. Lighting includes the
integration of decorative pendant
and accent lighting at booths and
counters to add sophistication.
Along with the restaurant, a
coffee/wine bar called Coffee &
Cork was designed to provide for

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ROBERT J. POLETT, PHOTOGRAPHER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (AFTER)

additional social gatherings as
well as overflow seating and offers
an inviting and unhurried atmosphere. The redesigned restaurant
and coffee/wine bar are open to
the public-a feature that engages
the community with residents.
Making sweeping changes to
the common spaces utilized by a
senior population was not without its stressors. From the onset
of the project, the design team
was careful to keep residents in
the loop and even provided them
with the opportunity to provide
feedback on final amenities.
The resulting space has received
nothing but rave reviews from the
residents.

Project category: Remodel/renovation
Chief administrator: Matt Oathout, senior vice president, operations,
Luthercare
Firms: Benchmark Construction Co. Inc., www.benchmargkc.com; Richard
F. Mulá Architects, www.mula-architects.com; Innovative Design-Works,
www.idw-designs.com
Design team: Stuart Smith, senior living executive (Benchmark
Construction Co. Inc., construction manager); David Beyer, senior
associate (Richard F. Mulá Architects, architect); Roxanne Shakely,
principal; Tammy Shiffer, principal (Innovative Design-Works, interior
designer)
Photography: Robert J. Polett, Photographer - All rights reserved; Nathan
Cox Photography
Number/type of housing units: 215 independent living apartments, 133
independent living cottages, 70 personal care (26 secured memory support), 106 skilled (18 secured memory support)
Total building area (sq. ft.): 8,615
Construction cost/sq. ft.: $383
Total construction cost (excluding land): $3.3 million
Completed: June 2016

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Environments for Aging * special supplement

http://www.benchmarkgc.com http://www.mula-architects.com http://www.idw-designs.com

Environments for Aging - Spring 2017

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