Enriching the mind, body and spirit of its 425 residents was just one of the objectives this Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) sought to accomplish by adding a new wellness center to its 44-acre campus. The center features an expanded and more operationally efficient clinic, a new exercise facility and classroom spaces. Residents previously had used exercise equipment in a converted studio apartment that faced a clinic with a waiting room separate from the exam rooms.

The highlight of the center is a new 55′ x 24′ pool with spa and locker rooms. This feature satisfies residents’ demands and improves the competitive edge of their community. Since the existing employee lounge was impacted by the project, the new center planned for an expanded and relocated employee lounge/dining room with individual staff lockers and a separate staff entrance.

Independent living and healthcare residents, as well as staff, enjoy the new activities and programs offered by the center. The director’s office is located with views of the pool and exercise room. Internal windows create an open and inviting environment and visually connect the spaces. The CCRC implemented a summer community-outreach program with a local daycare center to provide “water play” activities for school-aged children.

PROJECT CATEGORY New Construction and Renovation (completed March 2001)

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR Hunsdon Cary III, President, (434) 386-3500

FIRM SFCS, Inc., (540) 344-6664

DESIGN TEAM Gregory A. Jones, AIA, Architectural Design and Structural Engineering (SFCS, Inc.); R.P. Brown, Jr., General Contractor (C.L. Lewis & Company, Inc.); Bill Jennings, MEP Engineering (Kincaid-Jennings); Dick Whiteaker, Pool Consultant (Water Technologies); Ken Carlton, LS, PE, Civil Engineering and Landscape Design (Hurt & Profitt, Inc.)

PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Schoon

BED CAPACITY N/A

TOTAL BUILDING AREA (SQ. FT.) 4,843 renovation; 7,642 new construction

TOTAL LAND AREA N/A

TOTAL COST $260,000 renovation; $1,607,124 new construction

The all-brick exterior complements the existing architecture but adds new elements, such as a copper roof and clerestory windows. The glue-laminated wood roof systems, stainless-steel fasteners and exposed duct work add architectural interest to the interior of the pool area and provide a maintenance-free environment for this high-humidity space.