In designing the newest senior living campus for Lyngblomsten, Wold Architects & Engineers drew heavy inspiration from Nordic design practices to create a warm, comforting space for multiple generations of residents. Located on a 20-acre site in Lino Lakes, Minnesota, the 133,939-square foot senior community will be home to a variety of accommodations for independent and assisted living, memory care and 55+ residents. A second phase of the project will later add a 56-unit skilled nursing community.
Harnessing Wellness through Materials and Planning
The interior design of the main building features a modern take on Lyngblomsten’s Nordic heritage, which can be seen in warm wood tones and sepia hues. There are many natural textures, soft lighting, and cozy corners that create the warmth and comfort that emulate a Nordic interior. Additionally, fireplaces are typically seen in the corners of rooms in Nordic architecture, and a similar feel is created with angled fireplaces on the assisted living and memory care floors providing a comfortable destination during Minnesota’s winter months.
In the independent living units, large windows and ample maneuvering space allow residents to better age in place. These units also feature a balcony branching off the living room that grants residents immediate access to fresh air and sunlight during the summer, while also being able to overlook the community and its gorgeously landscaped grounds.
Wold has strategically placed the buildings with the highest aligning with the highway while the townhomes come closer to the existing neighborhoods. The town center, however, is designed to be the heart of the campus. Inside, a community pool, café, chapel and wellness center are offered as year-round amenities to residents throughout the campus. A loop trail is also planned to help further promote outdoor engagement during the summer months.
Strolling down the townhome drive evokes a feeling of community with street side porches for congregating and sidewalks for leisurely walks. Easy access to the main building also sets it up as a lively thoroughfare as guests and residents move freely throughout the grounds.
Another version of this article previously appeared on our sister site Environments for Aging.
