Selected through an invited design competition, SVA proposed a project to convert two existing buildings — one, a rubble-stone structure that once served as a hospice and residence for the congregation, and the other, a secondary school built in 1960 — into a residence for independent seniors.

The project as a whole includes 110 housing units — studios and rooms — as well as a cafeteria, chapel, community spaces, and a wing for specialized services.

The design concept promotes spatial fluidity and a sense of vitality. The layout strategy deliberately avoids any reference to a clinical or institutional environment; all standard material and color palettes typically associated with seniors’ residences were reconsidered. The use of color, noble materials, spatial animation, and a contemporary architectural language together create an atmosphere that is both stimulating and reassuring for residents.