Perkins Eastman Architects, Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Linder Residences

Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Linder Residences – Commack, New York
Perkins Eastman Architects – New York, New York
Type of Facility/Setting: Assisted Living

Facility Contact: Herbert Friedman

Firm: Perkins Eastman Architects, (212) 353-7200

Design Team: L. Bradford Perkins, Principal; Douglas P. King, Principal; Eric Cohen, Project Architect; Susan DiMotta, Principal Interior Designer; Kate Hanenberg, Associate Interior Designer

Photography: Chuck Choi

Resident Capacity: 161

Space/Resident (sq. ft.): 540

Total Area (sq. ft.): 160,560

Total Cost (excluding land): $21 million

Cost/Sq. Ft.: $130

Completion: June 2001

Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Linder Residences offers tenants the opportunity to age in place on a 54-acre campus that includes the geriatric center, which offers 460-bed skilled nursing, medical care and adult day care, as well as a Jewish Community Center. Catering to an upscale market, the 161-unit building was designed to support a staff- and service-intensive assisted living program providing three kosher meals per day, on 10 acres of the campus.

Program features include an abundance of common spaces, both interior and exterior, dispersed throughout three floors. From the double-height Lobby, one enters a dynamic setting, with activities visible from two levels. A Social Hall/Sanctuary, with a vaulted ceiling and clerestory lighting, features contemporary interpretations of historical elements and can also be viewed from the second floor. Computer access is provided from all resident units, as well as from resident clusters and from the Library.

Constrained by site and utilities setbacks, the undulating exterior building form is finished in multiple brick colors, stone and cementitious finish. Large expanses of glass overlook garden terraces and the woodlands beyond. Interior accent materials in common spaces include maple-coffered ceilings, Jerusalem stone and granite fireplace surrounds, and maple casework and trim.

Fully accessible resident units, ranging from 450 to 1,050 square feet, contain a walk-in closet and a pantry with a small refrigerator, microwave and sink. Most units have either bay or corner windows, some adjacent to planted terraces. A Special Care program of 17 units serves 19 residents with Alzheimer’s or related dementias, with self-contained common areas and secured outdoor gardens and walking paths.


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