OVERVIEW

Pine Haven Christian Communities is a long-term care facility serving residents at three campuses in the Sheboygan area. The organization engaged Abacus to conduct a thorough master planning process, which concluded that a new building at the Haven Drive Campus was a priority to accommodate the growing senior population. Plans called for the new facility to connect to the existing RCAC (Residential Care Apartment Complex) on the site.

Abacus worked closely with the Pine Haven organization and the construction firm to introduce an innovative design, the “household” model of care. In place of the conventional long corridors with identical rooms, it replicates the comforts of home and neighborhood, grouping small numbers of residents together in discrete “houses.” Each has its own living, dining, kitchen and laundry areas; architectural styles and color palettes, unique to the households, give residents a sense of ownership and individuality, and help with wayfinding. Although unique, the design allows for a typical staffing model and does not require additional personnel.

The project presented engineering and construction challenges: the building site was a sloping farm field with a 50’ elevation, and the owner specified a single-story structure. Approximately 150,000 cu. yd. of dirt were removed, some off site and the remainder to an on-site area landscaped with prairie grass. In addition, the new building connected to the existing facility at the first story level.

The interior design entailed seven different, but complementary styles to achieve the household concept. Residents enter their units from discrete porches built with Arts & Crafts, cottage, rustic cabin, Mediterranean, or contemporary elements. The design themes continued into the inside rooms, interpreted with specific woodwork casings and color palettes.

Abacus also created a Village Square, which is home to the Haven Café and General Store. Residents can sit and sip coffee and catch up on “neighborhood” news in the Commons, and also relax in the private exterior courtyards of each household. A state-of-the-art therapy gym offers additional opportunities to stay active. Connected to the therapy household and also accessible from the Village Square, it features an abundance of natural light and energetic, colorful décor. Centralized, back-to-back kitchens—one a homestyle kitchen for residents and the other a cooking kitchen utilized by staff—provide for efficient meal preparation.

In all, the new building is home to 36 skilled nursing residents, 24 memory-care residents, 14 therapy residents, eight community-based residents, and 8 acute memory-care residents.

“No matter what level of care you need, you want it to feel like home. Facilities that offer the most home-like comforts, such as Pine Haven, will be the most successful.”
Paul Mentink, Project Manager

Learn more about the sister project, Pine Haven – Oostburg Campus