Designed by Smith Consulting Architects (SCA), the new two-story, 17,000 square feet Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center has been developed by Senior Community Centers, in partnership with HomeAid in San Diego. The $3.4 million project is expected to receive LEED-Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center replaces the Senior Community Centers’ former downtown facility at Ninth and Broadway. The design and construction involved the rehabilitation of an existing 60-year-old building. Located in close proximity to several senior high-rise apartments and smaller hotel-type buildings, the new facility showcases a modern design integrated with warm palettes and naturally-illuminated spaces.
The first floor of Gary and Mary Center features a spacious main lobby with ample seating; a living room area for socialization and reading; an activity room for cards, chess and other board games; and an enrichment center to host lectures, art and exercise classes. The facility also features a Cyber Café. The kitchen and dining room area is nearly double the size of the Senior Community Centers’ existing facility.
The second floor has been designed to accommodate the Center for Healthy Aging. The center offers a full range of health assessments, interventions, case management, and activities by clinical staff and collaborative partners.
The Gary and Mary Center is incorporated with energy saving features such as day-lighting, high-efficiency air conditioning units, automatic lighting control systems and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The design permits plenty of natural light in the main dining, eliminating any need for electrical lighting during daylight hours.
Senior Community Centers is a major provider of services to culturally diverse, low-income, at-risk seniors in downtown San Diego. HomeAid is a major national non-profit provider of housing for the homeless.
