Best campus redevelopment of 2022: modern “architectural mishmash”

Over several decades of reconstruction, the Presbyterian Village North (PVN) in Dallas has become an “architectural mishmash”. Everything has changed with a recent renovation and expansion project.

According to Rockland Berg, director and owner of Three, the architecture and design firm behind the redevelopment, the overarching goal of the more than $52 million project was to preserve as much of the community’s original character as possible while updating it with a more cohesive contemporary design. project in the Presbyterian Village North.

Residents already living at PVN prioritized connections with nature and the outdoors, and the designers took this into account when renovating the 66-acre campus. Highlights included a newly updated exterior and courtyard, as well as many upgrades to interior common areas and amenities. Most importantly, the project included a five-story, 112-unit independent residential building called The Hawthorne.

Courtesy of Three: Living Architecture

“[The residents] were at the forefront of our work,” Berg told Senior Housing News. “They were mindful not only of the additional residents, but also of how those additions would affect them.”

Literally raising the roof of common spaces, prioritizing natural light and the environment, and preserving the community’s natural environment, the Hawthorne expansion earned the project team the 2022 Senior Housing News Architecture and Design award in the Best Campus Refurbishment category.

Concept

Planning for the expansion began around 2018. The original goals of the design team were to renew the community while avoiding a radical change in its character as a campus.

While the centerpiece of the project was to be a large independent living space, Three’s design team planned other upgrades to give the community a modern feel. The original design removed the entrance gate and tower to create a new entry point into the community with a more “parky” character. The designers also planned improvements to the lake in the center of the village, such as a new fountain, and prioritized lighting and outdoor access when possible.

“One of the main things residents respect and love is their connection to nature in this park-like environment,” Berg said.

According to Berg, the Hawthorne was designed with cross-generational design concepts in mind.

“The building gave us the opportunity to architecturally bring together 30-40 year old architecture that has been built over the years,” he said. “I would call it transitional style.”

In addition to incorporating the PVN aesthetic with the tallest building on campus, the Three team also wanted to add outdoor community meeting areas and a sky lounge on the top floor of the building.

The designers also planned to add a new wood and steel cantilever shelter to the community entertainment center called the Corrigan Building. The design also included a double-sided water wall supporting the lobby’s private garden, as well as a new sentry and entrance area with landscaped signage.

Courtesy of Three: Living Architecture

Inside the community, the designers planned to renovate common areas to let in plenty of natural light and have higher ceilings.

“We went into the canteens and literally raised the roof,” Berg said.

To do this, the team used tools called monitors to increase the height of the ceiling to allow more natural light to pass through. But to control temperature and direct exposure to light, they also included shading devices.

“It’s getting bright and warm here in Texas,” Berg said. “We used the VRF system, which is a state-of-the-art system that gives you the most control and actually takes up the least amount of space in terms of HVAC.”

Courtesy of Three: Living Architecture

Design

Andrés Construction was in charge of project execution, and workers began construction on the project shortly before the Covid-19 outbreak.

One problem that the crews had to deal with early on was that the residents were still living on site. Unlike new construction, the workers had to build the project and provide a relatively normal job for the residents.

“You have a construction site that produces dust. It’s noisy, Berg said.

According to Berg, the project team informed residents about each step of the multi-stage work, who ultimately appreciated the effort.

The team on the ground has also experienced rising prices for lumber and construction materials.

“We were struggling with a shortage of wood framing because the price of wood was very dynamic,” Berg said. “We had to buy quite a lot of firewood in advance.”

Courtesy of Three: Living Architecture

Other materials in short supply included electrical switches, joinery, cabinetry, and household appliances.

“These were bottlenecks that we had to stay ahead of,” Berg said.

The Covid-19 pandemic, like many other nursing operators during that period, affected how easily designers and construction crews could work on a construction site. Zoom and other remote conferencing technologies have helped fill this gap.

“We are used to working cheeks and elbows together with our construction partners,” Berg said. “As soon as we were able to return… we returned.”

He added that the pandemic has affected the project in other ways. The project team faced an uphill battle to obtain certain permits from local regulators, who were struggling with their own staffing shortages, resulting in delays in approvals.

“Getting their attention, getting approval for a very complex refurbishment and extension was a big lift,” Berg said.

In the end, according to the design team, the project was completed on time and within budget. In Summer 2022, Forefront Living officially celebrated the opening of the expansion and newly renovated spaces.

Completion

Today, the community is a testament to the careful planning and attention to detail in the design process.

One of the defining characteristics was the designers’ use of water features. The community has a multi-tiered water display with an aerating fountain, a pond surrounded by a walkway, and a bridge with jutting waterfalls and rocks.

Hawthorne’s 112 independent residential units are located above the garage for easy access for residents. Inside the building, the design by Bohacz included elements of the sky with white and blue decor. Residents have access to over 6,000 books in the building’s library, as well as nearly 300 films.

Courtesy of Three: Living Architecture

Hawthorne’s meeting spaces include a high-ceilinged solarium, a green wall and wicker furniture that creates an outdoor feel. Outside, there are seating and tables on deck walkways near angular fountains that glow all night.

Community residents can choose between one and two bedroom floor plans ranging from 900 square feet to over 1,600 square feet.

For Berg, the best indicator of success was the current residents, who were allowed to view the construction site as it neared completion.

“It was fun to walk with them and hear them ooh and ooh and say things like ‘this is so much better than before,'” he said.

According to John Cronin, director of AG Architecture, who was a judge, the renovation was a much-needed update to the community that would improve the experience and lifestyle of residents.

In the end, Berg is proud that the project has laid the groundwork for further expansion as the community develops over the coming decades. And this did not go unnoticed by the residents.

“They’ve got the idea that it’s sustainable,” Byrd said. “They don’t just think about themselves. They are thinking about moving their future friends.”

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