Fallbrook Commons is a new, two-story, senior living home that serves 102 residents with a mix of long-term and short-term rehabilitation services. Positioned in a corner of the popular city of Portland, Maine, this facility approaches the need for senior living options in the area with care, style, community, and life enrichment. Both an architectural and interior design project for GTD, we aimed to maximize the quality of life for residents across every facet of their new home.

The design and layout of the Fallbrook Commons building demonstrates an understanding of the needs of the residents, staff, and visitors. The building is structured to feature three neighborhoods for residents, with two across two wings on the first floor, and one on another floor accessible via elevator. Each of these neighborhoods prominently features unique interiors to allow for wayfinding, a staffed kitchen, dining tables and seating, comfortable living areas for socializing and relaxing, nursing stations for immediate care, and an outdoor courtyard to enjoy the best of Maine’s seasons. This modern design gives each of the residents a feeling of the autonomy of living at home, while having necessary care and amenities within reach. Each neighborhood is named after a Portland, ME neighborhood (Deering, Libbytown, and Munjoy), cementing the community’s importance in planning.

Outside of the resident neighborhoods are other amenities, offering a salon modeled after a small-town hairdresser, and a physical therapy gym. Traversing the bright and airy hallways between the neighborhoods is easy for residents and staff alike. Accessibility, freedom of movement, ergonomics, and easy indoor-outdoor transition were kept front-of-mind during the planning process.

Photography by C.A. Smith Photography