Located in Manhattan’s Washington Heights, this project consists of a 6,200 sf renovation within a historic art deco hospital building that was converted into a senior residence in the 1980s by the NYC Housing Authority. BFA expanded its existing senior center to create a new adult daycare facility for people suffering from memory loss.
The facility is laid out around a self-contained "wandering path" and includes activity rooms, quiet rooms, a conference room, a library, a kitchen, and offices for staff and social workers. The opening of long-dark clerestory windows in the central space brings abundant sunshine into the center, creating a convivial community atmosphere. Materials and finishes are warm, natural and ecologically friendly, as well as being durable and low-maintenance. The Center largely serves a Spanish-speaking population, and its vibrant, changing artwork reflects the Caribbean origins of its client families.