Kisco Senior Living's The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center project focused on two big ideas: enabling residents to live fully while promoting sustainability in the surrounding area.
The community is designed to use 40% of its 8-acre urban site for reforestation efforts and amenities such as walking trails, biophilic landscaping and stormwater filtration systems, according to Brendon McCall, project manager at THW Designs, who oversaw the architectural design of the senior care community.
Located in the heart of Gaithersburg, Maryland, the community is integrated with nearby green spaces and parks to provide residents easier access to nature and recreational activities.
In addition to a focus on nature, the 50,000-square-foot community embodies Kisco Senior Living's “Art of Living” philosophy with art galleries featuring a rotating selection of artwork, a computer learning lab and on-site educational offerings. Residents also have access to local vineyards, garden clubs and literary groups through the community.
Due to its use of outdoor spaces, connection to community and strong use of materials and textures, The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center secured first place in the CCRC Lite category of the Senior Housing News Architecture and Design Awards.
The concept
The genesis of The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center can be traced back to 2017, when SHA Capital Partners contacted Kisco Senior Living about an available property. McCall said the project partners brought in THW Design in 2018 after working with Kisco Senior Living on a variety of projects.
From the beginning, the community was envisioned as a place where residents “feel inspired, connected and fully alive.” To achieve this, project planners included in the design a “state-of-the-art” wellness center with personal trainers and a heated saltwater pool, courtyards and walking paths, and a variety of dining options curated by “five-star chefs.”
The community should also incorporate connections to nature, with the 72-acre park and outdoor spaces next door forming the core of the design. Environmental sustainability was also a key concern for the community.
When designing the community, the project planners aimed for a “distinct but inviting presence.” To achieve these goals, the community's architects incorporated design elements such as a silhouette that blends seamlessly with the natural contours of Washingtonian Boulevard, a varied façade, balconies and alcoves to soften the building's scale, and a “beautifully designed” entryway with a gated cochére leading to a lobby that offers residents and guests the opportunity to be “welcomed with grace and elegance.” Interior designer StudioSix5 also incorporated details into the project such as gray walls, large windows for natural light and open living spaces that contribute to a unique look.
Project planners sought community input in the process, and feedback “went back and forth between different community stakeholders,” McCall said.
“Everyone had something to say,” McCall told Senior Housing News. “At its core, the project’s focus was on sustainability, good stewardship of the environment and a genuine connection with the community in which it was located.”
He added: “Through the connectivity that allowed them to enjoy these amenities, the community around them was an essential part of it.”
A lengthy entitlement process presented a host of challenges in bringing the community to life. City officials and community members met frequently with the project team during planning to tour the 51,000-square-foot campus.
“City officials were very concerned about what it would represent as one of the first major landmark structures [when entering] “It was particularly meaningful to them to have the city look like this,” McCall said.
The lengthy authorization process was a challenge, but it also provided clearly defined boundaries for the work of THW Design.
“It makes decisions a little easier,” he said. “At the end of the road, when we reached final completion, there were no major deviations from the original approved development process that we went through.”
The construction
Project planners broke ground on The Carnegie at the Washingtonian Center in October 2021 and received final approvals from the city in May 2024. The project partners in this phase also included the construction company Balfour Beatty Construction.
The Covid pandemic and labor and supply chain issues delayed the project. In response to demand from local customers, the project partners also made some design changes during construction, such as incorporating larger units. However, they refrained from making too many changes during construction because it would trigger another round of entitlement reviews.
At that time, McCall said Kisco was finalizing the design for its “Signature” series, which offers a “tailored experience” through expanded amenities such as horticulture programs and gardens, interactive games for families and travel programs. This vision was realized in the construction of the Carnegie at Washingtonian Center.
“During construction, things were added that are unique to this community and that we wouldn't normally see in many places,” McCall said.
Although there were “significant hurdles” the project had to overcome, the end result was largely what was originally envisioned upon completion. In the end, the project was only slightly delayed and was 5% over budget.
The completion
The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center officially welcomed its first resident in August 2024, just behind the project's original estimated completion schedule.
The finished product includes a variety of spaces, including a dedicated “grandchildren’s room” with interactive games and activities, a salon area, a lounge and bar, and a music room where residents can relax and listen to their favorite music.
More than 100 residents moved in within the first 100 days of opening, a lease that is happening “more quickly than originally expected,” McCall said. The community is currently still waiting for approval for assisted living.
The Senior Housing News Design Award jury was particularly impressed by the community's exterior facilities and design elements. Judge Bruce Horowitz noted that the community has “dynamic spaces” that are “well detailed” as well as “beautifully designed outdoor spaces for residents.”
Additionally, Judge Greg Gauthreaux wrote that the community features a sophisticated and classic material palette while “making the most of outdoor spaces as amenities and connections to the community.”
For Kisco, Community is a new flagship in its portfolio. And it's one that THW Design plans to market globally to demonstrate the company's “ability to look at potential challenges a little differently,” McCall said.
“I think it shows our creativity,” he said. “We will use this as an example of these capabilities and show that our company will not bring the same solutions to market.”