Environments for Aging - Spring 2017 - 68

EFA DESIGN SHOWCASE
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Rockwood Retirement Communities, The Summit SPOKANE, WASH.
Submitted by: Perkins Eastman SAN FRANCISCO
Rockwood Retirement
Communities wanted an

first-floor community space

innovative home for their

focused on wellness, while

older adult residents that

tying the existing Ridge

deeply connects them to the

with the new Summit and

natural world from within

orienting it toward the

an environment that offers

estate homes to create a

improved amenities and

cohesive, connected com-

living spaces. Using biophilic

munity.

design to illuminate and

Project category: New construction & remodel/renovation
Chief administrator: Alan Curryer, president and CEO
Firm: Perkins Eastman, www.perkinseastman.com
Design team: Perkins Eastman (design architect and interior designer); NAC Architecture
(architect of record); Walker Construction (general contractor)
Photography: ©2016 Sarah Mechling/Perkins Eastman; ©2016 Benjamin Benschneider
Number/type of housing units: 65 independent living apartments
Total building area (sq. ft.): 216,568 (new); 16,640 (renovation)
Construction cost/sq. ft.: $191 (new); $160 (renovation)
Total construction cost (excluding land): $40.6 million (new); $3.5 million (renovation)
Completed: June 2016

©2016 BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER

68

Environments for Aging * special supplement

A major feature of the

support the seven dimen-

addition is the circulation

sions of wellness, the Summit

connecting The Ridge to

and Ridge towers now

The Summit. The Riverwalk

offer the opportunity for a

is a curvilinear path of

healthy, productive lifestyle

discovery winding through

in a LEED-Silver certified

an array of new amenity

building.

spaces. The materials palette

The site, with views of

©2016 SARAH MECHLING/PERKINS EASTMAN

and 2) Add an expanded

reflects natural colors

distant mountains and

and textures drawn from

nearby pine forests from

Rockwood's surroundings.

its location atop a butte,

Ample windows and clere-

had an existing community

story openings repeatedly

with two living options: the

frame views of the woods

estate homes and The Ridge,

and sky following biophilic

a high-rise building with

principles. The Riverwalk's

undersized apartments,

four new dining venues

sparse amenities, and poor

offer choice in their varied

energy performance. The

design, operating hours, and

design team initiated a

menus. Other amenities in-

two-strategy approach for

clude a grand ballroom, an

repositioning: 1) Build a

art studio, cinema, library,

new tower, the Summit,

lounge, and a wellness cen-

with 65 larger independent

ter with an aerobics studio,

living apartments ranging

fitness equipment, beauty

from 900-2,200 square feet,

salon, and spa.

©2016 BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER
http://www.perkinseastman.com
Environments for Aging - Spring 2017

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