The Montrose Community Living Center (CLC) consists of one single story CLC Resident House that includes components of a CLC Neighborhood Center. The design provides 25,000±SF of usable space for 28 Veteran Residents (14 residents per wing). The client received the following features and benefits as part of the comprehensive architecture, engineering, and interior design of the CLC:

  • Connection from CLC to main hospital via sidewalks and covered walkways, giving residents easy access to treatment facilities.
  • Triple C followed the guidelines in the VA Small House Model for Residential-centered Living, assuring the client that proven design elements were employed to provide comfort and accessible living for residents.
  • Residents have easy and comfortable access to shared “Neighborhood” community group spaces in the home that allow for resident interaction and socialization, along with climate controlled accessible connections.
  • The site design is very aesthetic, including parking areas, entries, way-finding signage, landscaping, and accessibly trails and walkways for residents to enjoy outdoor activities as weather permits.
  • Fully accessible utility support space has been provided in the basement level for all plumbing support and a penthouse has been included which houses the air handling units.
  • All utility, physical security and IT infrastructures are adequately sized for potential future requirements and include all necessary excavation for new underground utility, security, and IT services.
  • LIDAR survey and site evaluation was key in providing the most accurate data for the design team and for assuring scheduled activities were achieved accurately.
  • Design and construction coordination with other active projects at the VA Medical Center was ongoing through the life of the design phase.
  • Project is programmed for LEED Silver.

Triple C performed a thorough charrette process which enabled the client to choose between three site and building options. Triple C also provided virtual reality sessions to enable the VA client to visualize each option to aid in the decision process.

The design:

  • Economizes on staffing and circulation
  • Fully utilizes community spaces that would have been under utilized if the neighborhood center was a separate structure
  • Delivers natural daylight through the use of clerestory windows
  • Offers efficient use of infrastructure
  • Provides a residential feel
  • Includes home like room entrances to provide the resident a sense of ownership
  • Grants outside ground level access to patios and walking paths