Environments for Aging - Fall 2016 - 55

REMODEL/RENOVATION COMPETITION

Cornerstone MRC TEXARKANA, TEXAS
Submitted by: D2 Architecture DALLAS AND Faulkner Design Group DALLAS
Cost per square foot: $85
Design team: D2 Architecture
(architect); Faulkner Design
Group (interior designer); WLJ
Engineering (MEP engineer);
The McDougal Group (contractor); Phillips & Sons Refrigeration (food service design)

Part of a $3 million renovation
and a realization of the vision to provide the latest features in both living
space and services to its residents,
Methodist Retirement Communities
transformed its dining commons
into a more service oriented, luxuriously appointed dining and living
area.
The entire dining area was gutted,
removing half walls and faux columns to open up the space for more
functional use and dramatic fixtures
and furniture. A soft and sophisti-

PHOTO (AFTER): © MICHAEL LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY

cated palette of beiges and blues updated the existing drab finishes. The

As part of the process, the design

existing private dining was relocated

team engaged the residents early on,

and replaced with a bistro. The bistro

and even before the work had begun

is a light food service venue. These

the residents were so excited about

improvements to the dining allow

the upgrades that they began spread-

Cornerstone to extend services hours

ing the word with their off-site

and function to their residents. A fo-

friends, bringing more guests and

cal point of the dining corridor, the

potential residents into the commu-

sun room punctuates the end of the

nity. The community reports another

dining room with a beautiful sitting

benefit: more guests! The residents

area bathed in natural light.

are noticeably proud of their "new"

A great deal of coordination went

campus and are inviting friends,

into planning the phased construc-

children, and grandchildren to join

tion of this project. There were

them in their dining commons.

many different parts of the building

With its newly found elegance, the

undergoing renovations to reposition

atrium draws residents, family, visi-

the community within the Northeast

tors immediately as they enter the

Texas market. The dining and private

community.

Jury comments:
BEFORE
* Outstanding use of limited funds
to have a huge impact. Much more
inviting design-very liveable!
* Great transformation! Nice decorative lighting-well scaled and well
placed in the space. The carpet pattern and color are well chosen for the
space type. The goal for a more luxurious dining experience appears to be
well met.
* Elegant design fulfills a variety of dining options for residents and guests.
Very beautiful.
Reader comments:
* Decidedly the most tasteful renovation of a drab, outdated dining area I
have seen in recent years.
* This project should be congratulated on the low cost per square foot.

dining areas were partitioned with
temporary walls while main street/
corridor circulation from the main
entrance remained open. A key
component of the overall renovation,
the dining commons portion of the
project was completed on schedule
and in ten weeks.

BEFORE
PHOTO (AFTER): © MICHAEL LOWRY PHOTOGRAPHY

Environments for Aging * special supplement

55
Environments for Aging - Fall 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Environments for Aging - Fall 2016
