ISSUE 2: 2023
now+next Focusing on the growing population of older adults with memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, The Cordwainer fills a crucial gap in the post-acute continuum of care for those with memory impairment. Drawing on years of project team experience in memory care design, the 50,000 square foot complex goes beyond traditional approaches and reimagines the environment to address residents’ needs by incorporating biophilic design principles as an essential aspect of the therapeutic approach. The evidence-based programming, architecture, and interior framework enhance human wellbeing through a greater connection to the natural world. A light-filled atmosphere with a material palette of earthy tones, natural wood, moss walls, and organic forms is thoughtfully designed to minimize disorientation and anxiety by incorporating elements that support cognitive function and emotional comfort. The clean and contemporary lines of the architecture recall the Mid-century Modern aesthetic popular during the residents’ youth.