Allied Partners
Fairfax, Virginia

The Virginian welcomes residents and guests with a contemporary entrance and freestanding porte-cochère. Independent living amenity spaces offer a variety of dining options, an art studio, wine room, game room and library. The assisted living community benefited from updates to the lounge, dining and bistro spaces. Two new secure memory care neighborhoods offer residents convenient access to kitchen and dining and activity rooms.

The highest priority of the renovation was to enhance memory care services to meet the needs of more than 300 residents. The comprehensive transformation of a former independent living wing focused on bringing a “Next Gen” approach to memory care through thoughtful design and technological integration. The newly reimagined area now boasts innovative spaces that elevate the care experience:

• The Reminiscence/Reception Lounge redefines the entry point into a space of connection and memory stimulation. It integrates the “Reminiscence Bump” concept, with local 1950s-60s memorabilia and yearbooks, aiding residents with object and spatial recall.
• A Sensory Lounge replaces the industry-standard small, enclosed sensory room with an inviting open-plan area that allows passive, active, individual or group engagement with evidence-based design features and technologies that stimulate sight, sound, touch and smell. With advanced features like adaptive circadian lighting and one of the nation’s first hand-motion video gaming system designed for memory support, residents can enjoy tailored activities that promote cognitive engagement.

The introduction of these areas has not only brightened the physical environment but has also sparked a positive shift in the community’s social dynamics. Residents have shown remarkable behavioral improvements, exemplified by a person who transitioned from being non-verbal to actively participating in daily activities, and another who found joy in the calming presence of a live fish display.

The design has successfully fostered deeper family connections, particularly in the Reminiscence Lounge, where residents and their families bond over shared histories. The community’s executive director reflected on the project’s impact, stating, “We’ve taken a space that had no life, and created a space that has given life back to our residents and families.”

Awards + Recognition

• Gold Award for Memory Care Common Space, Remodel/Renovation Competition, Environments for Aging, 2022