Client
White Birch Communities
Completion Date
Mar 31st, 2016
Mather Architects
Architect/Designer, Project Manager
Now called Sycamore Haven, this project was custom designed to house 17 residents with Memory Impairment due to Alzheimers and Dementia. This “residential-model” plan features comfortable Living Room, Dining Room and Den spaces in the core, around which the resident rooms are arranged. Our goal was to allow the residents to feel like they were living in their own executive residence.
The Resident Rooms are tastefully decorated with accent colors and decorative wood trim. Each has a large window and an accessible private bath. Sliding doors separate the bedroom from the bath, allowing for easy identification of the bath for residents with the door in the open position. Each resident room door is painted and accent color for easy identification by the resident.
Other amenities include:
- Sun Room, which is conditioned and protected from the weather, but very open with windows and skylights.
- Outdoor Memory Garden, which is easily accessed from the building and allows for residents to get some fresh air and sunshine, while being enclosed with fencing for safety.
- Spa area, which includes a tub, hair washing station and large shower. Warm materials were used to create a more resort-like atmosphere.
- Private Family meeting Room.
- Kitchen area with serving counter for snacks, eating at off-hours, and other items that residents may want that are not cooked in the main Kitchen.
- Nurses area with visual connection to the resident areas, while also providing separate access to the main building (Assisted Living).

Site limitations greatly informed the final shape of this project. Located on a small field between the existing building and small stream, the building uses almost every square inch of available space.

High end interior finishes were used to evoke a the feeling of one's home rather than of a hospital.

The sunroom serves as a connector wing between the new and old facility allowing a secure space for residents to relax.