Martha Child Interiors, Inc., Design Division of Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc., Sunrise-Inova of Fair Oaks

Sunrise-Inova of Fair Oaks – Fairfax, Virginia
Martha Child Interiors, Inc., Design Division of Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. – Sterling, Virginia
Type of Facility/Setting: Assisted Living

Facility Contact: Jim Harris, Executive Director

Firm: Martha Child Interiors, Inc., Design Division of Sunrise Assisted Living, Inc. (703) 708-7250

Design Team: Rebecca Fix, Interior Design Associate; Brenda Kuhn, Interior Design Project Manager; Gretchen Trickett, Interior Design Associate; Elizabeth Masar-Woolhouse, Interior Design Project Manager; Beth Holden, Interior Design Associate

Photography: Jerry Staley Photography

Resident Capacity: 106

Space/Resident (sq. ft.): 520

Total Area (sq. ft.): 65,000

Total Cost (excluding land): $10.5 million

Cost/Sq. Ft.: $161.54

Completion: January 2001

Creating a partnership with a local hospital to construct an assisted living home on the hospital grounds proved to be a unique design experience. Because the hospital already owned the land for this project, an enriched budget for both architectural and interiors was created that permitted construction of magnificent built-in casework throughout the entire home, as well as exceptional carpets and interior furnishings. A respite neighborhood of 19 fully furnished units was created on the third floor, including private dining room and living room accommodations for residents who were discharged from the hospital and expected to rehabilitate for six weeks to six months. Country Kitchens are provided in both the respite unit and the Alzheimer’s neighborhood on the first floor.

The ground floor features a grand foyer, with Axminster carpets and borders-uncommon to most assisted living homes. A bistro, with rich cherry paneling and trims, has walls lined with historical pictorial galleries for residents and local families to enjoy. A formal dining room, which serves three meals a day, gives the feeling of fine dining.

A “Quiet Room” is provided for residents in order to assist both staff and residents with behavioral management during “active times.” Special fabrics were used in this area to resist incontinence, while still providing a soft and tactile look. Fabrics of this sort enable the facility to assist residents with physical challenges while allowing them to age in place with dignity.


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