Lefroy Care Community Facility Design Competition ​

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​Completion: 2025

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​Award:

1st Place Winner

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The project envisions a “Garden Sanctuary” senior living community designed to support residents’ physical, emotional, and social well-being through a strong connection to nature. Rooted in the small-house nursing home model of care, the development consists of six residential houses, each home to 10 residents, organized within three L-shaped, two-story buildings featuring verandahs and familiar Bermudian architectural forms. Each house includes a shared kitchen, dining, and living area, supported by on-site staff spaces, to create a warm, inclusive, non-institutional environment. The buildings are oriented southwest to capture natural light and breezes, enhancing comfort and reducing energy use, while also enabling optimal solar-panel placement.

A central covered outdoor “Main Street” links all major components of the campus. This walkway connects the residential buildings to the administration building, café, reflection room, garden beds, a multipurpose events lawn, and a looped walking trail. Wayfinding is supported by color-coded entry pavilions, curated landscaping, and opportunities for thematic building identities. A separate staff building, housing the kitchen, laundry, storage, and support facilities, is located at the end of Main Street to maintain operational efficiency with minimal disruption to residents.

The site selection and layout respond to significant planning and environmental constraints, including woodland reserves, conservation zones, and topographic changes from former U.S. Navy operations. The southwest corner of the property offers the most suitable developable land, requiring minimal excavation and allowing reuse of existing roadways. Universal Design standards ensure full accessibility, including level paths, compliant bathrooms, elevator access, and integrated ceiling lift tracks. Importantly, the broader property provides ample space for future expansion, enabling the facility to grow in phases as community needs evolve while still respecting zoning and environmental requirements.

Sustainability strategies focus on durability, passive design, and efficient systems. Residential bedrooms avoid direct afternoon sun, while shaded glazing and light-colored finishes reduce heat gain. The construction approach emphasizes longevity, healthy materials, and breathable finishes. Energy efficiency is strengthened through LED lighting, heat-pump water heaters, dual-flush fixtures, and a photovoltaic system.

The result is a holistic, sustainable, and resident-centered community that supports comfort, autonomy, and meaningful daily living.