March 28, 2018
Silver Birch of Michigan City, Indiana Opens
Many local area officials and community members came out to celebrate the grand opening of Silver Birch of Michigan City, a premier 119-unit affordable assisted living facility for local 65 and older seniors. Our client, Vermilion Development, a Chicago based firm that specializes in creating places where people live, work and thrive including affordable assisted living communities asked Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) to design a high-quality, sustainable, affordable assisted living facility that is welcoming and a home-like environment to all its residents.
It started with the site. Positioning the building in such a way to create a landscape buffer between a smaller scale residential community to the west and an unknown future development site to the east. Next came texture and subtle color changes on the façade; blending the building into both the suburban and rural fabric of Michigan City, Indiana. Inside, residents and guests are welcomed in by a two-story lobby followed by hotel-like designed amenity spaces including residential lounges, creative and activity rooms, all to cultivate social interactions. Even a wellness suite with salon, fitness center and physical therapy room provide additional community connections. The best feature, is the formal dining room which has open access to a patio overlooking a landscaped courtyard bringing the outside in.
Anticipating NGBS Certification, the result is a four-story, amenity rich, hotel-like, assisted living facility where residents can age in place with comfort, support and peace of mind.
It started with the site. Positioning the building in such a way to create a landscape buffer between a smaller scale residential community to the west and an unknown future development site to the east. Next came texture and subtle color changes on the façade; blending the building into both the suburban and rural fabric of Michigan City, Indiana. Inside, residents and guests are welcomed in by a two-story lobby followed by hotel-like designed amenity spaces including residential lounges, creative and activity rooms, all to cultivate social interactions. Even a wellness suite with salon, fitness center and physical therapy room provide additional community connections. The best feature, is the formal dining room which has open access to a patio overlooking a landscaped courtyard bringing the outside in.
Anticipating NGBS Certification, the result is a four-story, amenity rich, hotel-like, assisted living facility where residents can age in place with comfort, support and peace of mind.