Community
New Concepts for Living is an 80,000 SF adult daycare facility for Behavioral, Medically Fragile and Non-Behavioral clients. Located in Paramus, NJ this former two-story Barnes and Noble will be fully renovated and given a new life.
The project is organized into three program areas, one for each client type. Utilizing a “town” metaphor, the project’s organizing device is “Main Street.” A large, covered drop-off canopy delivers clients onto Main Street where each of the three program areas have “entry portals.” At the center is “Town Square,” a meeting and activity area for clients. Here a large skylight punctures the roof and floods natural light into the space. A kitchen, also used for teaching, is adjacent for services when needed.
Administrative functions ring the program areas for ease of access to serve clients. Meeting spaces are provided in a variety of sizes including a large divisible training room and Board Room. A large staff lounge and fitness center is also provided for staff.
Program areas include client workrooms, pantry food prep areas and large toilet rooms with showers and client lockers. Other special uses include Activities for Daily Living comprised of a Mock Bedroom, Laundry, Store and Computer Room, as well as Sensory Rooms, OT/PT, Speech Therapy, Vocational Work Room and Doctor’s Office Suite.
Warm and inviting colors are used throughout. Blue, Teal and Magenta identify the three program areas. Large murals, washed with light from above, add life and vibrancy to the client work rooms. Generous ceiling heights have been afforded by the tall floor to roof height of the first floor. Main Street is punctuated with a curvilinear recessed soffit, with linear baffles and lights, that winds its way along the length of the circulation spine, bringing movement and visual interest.