Schmidt Design Group partnered with HomeAid and Noah Homes to realize the first memory care home in California, two of the first in the nation, specifically for people with developmental disabilities including Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and others. Noah Homes worked with partners in construction, employment, programming, health care, policy, and the nonprofit sector to fill the gap in housing options for those aging with developmental disabilities; making sure they have quality, affordable memory care options suited for their specialized needs. The pro-bono effort spanned the entirety of the design and construction team throughout schematic design, design development, construction documents, permitting, and construction administration to deliver this new, cutting-edge memory care facility.

 

The project includes two 5,000 sq. ft. homes for 20 residents with developmental disabilities who have been diagnosed with aging issues, Alzheimer's, or another related dementia. Nestled in the rolling hills of Spring Valley, CA, the site presented significant topography requiring the team to implement creative site access and grading solutions. Stormwater treatment, connected via a series of terraces and weirs, step down the site and represents a defining aesthetic element within the campus. The circulation consists of widened walkways and ramps that meander up the hillside in a manner that emphasizes a serene and gardenesque experience.

Schmidt Design Group led the site design and schematic site grading for the project and thoughtfully stitched the project into the existing campus fabric. The existing site has nearly 30 feet of vertical topographic change. This presented the opportunity to create a series of garden terraces, each having a unique function. The southern residence is perched on the site and spills onto an outdoor dining terrace through a series of nano doors. Glass panels were utilized to meet safety requirements while providing unobstructed views into the campus and to the hillsides in the distance. The design utilized the topography by integrating an amphitheater into the existing turf hillside which is used for daily programmed activities and fundraising events held throughout the year.

The design also had to respond to the reality that the residents suffer from dementia, and needed to be contained within a secure perimeter. The interior circulation loop trail allows residents to safely wander and explore the gardens without concerns about becoming disoriented or getting lost.
In November 2016, Noah Homes, joined by elected officials and more than 30 community partners announced the completion of the first memory care homes in California, two of the first in the nation, specifically for people with developmental disabilities, including down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and others. The landscape architect worked with the owner, architect, civil engineer, and contractors throughout schematic design, design development, construction documents, permitting, and construction administration to deliver this new, cutting-edge memory care facility.