Guests and prospective residents gathered to celebrate The Virginian’s highly anticipated renovations during an open house event held on March 7 in Fairfax, Va. Originally constructed in 1983, the senior living community required extensive upgrades to address modern day programming needs and to remain competitive in the expanding D.C. market.
Moseley Architects, in partnership with Allied Partners and in close collaboration with Meyer Design and Salas O’Brien, took on the challenge of an occupied, multi-phased renovation and enhanced The Virginian’s overall atmosphere. This effort transformed the building into a modernized community that will remain functional and inviting for generations to come.
Event attendees were greeted by an all-new, contemporary entrance, a freestanding Porte Cochère, and outdoor amenities and gathering spaces. Inside, the welcoming environment encourages vibrant socialization via lounges, five new dining areas, a wine cellar and a golf simulator. Wellness amenities include a fitness center, juice bar, salon, massage rooms and consult spaces.
Comprehensive Senior Care
Providing a wide-ranging continuum of care is a key feature of The Virginian, as it seeks to provide an environment that adapts to the evolving needs of its residents. Included in this spectrum of support is memory care for residents affected by dementia. Prior to the newest renovations unveiled at the open house, our design team also helped create a new memory care unit that spans two adjoining wings in The Virginian.
Features include a reminiscence lounge, which incorporates evidence-based design that creates familiar surroundings for residents. This includes personalized features that can enhance memory, such as local high school yearbooks dating back to the 1950s and 1960s.Additionally, the space includes a new sensory lounge. This area displays an open design that fosters engagement while activating the senses through adjustable lighting, a live fish display to help reduce anxiety, and a video system with games designed specifically for memory care residents. These features help increase resident comfortability, family engagement, and overall quality of life. The Virginian has been recognized for this contribution to the senior living community via the Gold Award for Memory Care Common Space in the remodel/renovation category by Environments for Aging.
The project is also currently pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council.