Design Center

Nursing Homes, August, 2001 by Devon Oaks

TYPE OF FACILITY/SETTING: Assisted Living/Memory Support Assisted Living

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Amy Eberlein

ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Ken Martin Architects Berea, Ohio (440) 243-9243

RESIDENT CAPACITY: 67 units

TOTAL AREA: 47,200 square feet

CONSTRUCTION COST: $7.4 million

COST/SQ. FT.: $156.78

PHOTOGRAPHY: Zena Photography, Cleveland, Ohio

ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS

Amy Eberlein, executive director: "Devon Oaks has a U-shaped, three-story floor plan, which offers two advantages: First, no resident has to wall a great distance to the elevator or the community areas, all of which are located near the center of the U. Second, this design provides each apartment with a view--either of our lovely grounds or our colorfully landscaped courtyard in the center of the building.

"Our community also has the advantage of being designed and built specifically for assisted living, rather than being converted from another type of facility. We shopped around extensively before finalizing the design of the interior, so we had the opportunity to identify and bring together some of the best features available. We used a different interior designer for our Memory Support area than for the rest of the facility. She chose colors and patterns suitable for the residents who will be served there.

"Two outstanding features of Devon Oaks are its elegant color scheme--in blues and yellows and golds--and its abundant natural light. We used exceptionally large windows throughout, including the windows in the residents' apartments. Visitors often comment on the openness and lightness of our community.

"We have 55 assisted living apartments, located on the second and third floors, and 12 Memory Support apartments, located on the first floor. Four different floor plans are offered. The studio is the smallest but still has ample space for a bedroom and sitting room. The 'open one-bedroom' plan consists of two rooms separated by a half-wall; either room can be used as the living room or bedroom, according to the resident's wishes. The third-floor plan is the one-bedroom, which consists of two separate rooms joined by a hallway, in an hourglass configuration. Finally, the one-bedroom deluxe plan has two separate rooms separated by a door. Every apartment, including those in Memory Support, has a private bath with grab bars and a handheld shower head.

"Each apartment also has a kitchenette with refrigerator. With the exception of the Memory Support apartments, they all have microwaves, as well. All residents have access at all times to a full kitchen, either in the Memory Support community area or in the Social Center on the third floor.

"Socialization is encouraged in several ways at Devon Oaks. Both the front and rear entrances bring people into the community area, which includes our Great Room and serves as a central gathering area for residents. It's where they get their mail and wait for visitors, and it's near the dining room, so they often sit there and chat before meals. Residents can also interact in our exercise room on the second floor or the Social Center or Home Theater on the third floor, as well as the community area for the Memory Support floor.

"Our dining room serves restaurant style and has flexible hours, allowing residents to enjoy their meals anytime between 8 and 9:30 a.m., 12 and 1:30 p.m., and 5 and 7 p.m. There's also a coffee shop where coffee, muffins and Danishes are served.

"Devon Oaks has two courtyards: an enclosed one for Memory Support residents and another one that leads to a walking path through a natural, protected wetlands area.

"Our residents are our unsolicited 'marketing assistants.' Their oft-expressed assessment of Devon Oaks is that it has the amenities and services of a hotel but the residential look of a home. There's nothing 'medical' about our community."