Green House model redefines culture of senior living and elder healthcare
As the population of elders in America is experiencing considerable growth, decades-old nursing homes around the country are in various stages of deterioration and elder care providers in need of solutions are exploring innovative alternatives to the traditional, institutional, and medical-based environments of generations past – finding answers in models that are based on ‘home’.
Over the past decade, The Green House Project has been leading the way in transforming the way elders experience long-term care, providing a life-changing experience for those who call a Green House home their home. Green House communities envision “homes in every community where elders and others enjoy excellent quality of life and quality of care; where they, their families, and the staff engage in meaningful relationships built on equality, empowerment, and mutual respect; where people want to live and work; and where all are protected, sustained, and nurtured.”
RDG Planning & Design is a proud partner and advocate of The Green House Project, working alongside the organization to translate their desire to foster powerful, meaningful, and satisfying lives, work, and relationships, into spaces that reinforce that mission. Working side-by-side with the leadership team, RDG principal Scott Pfeifer has been a strong partner in the continued development of the concept, and has become a known expert throughout the senior living industry with regard to the Green House Project movement.
Scott earned his Master’s degree at Boston Architectural College with a thesis in small house design; his thesis advisor being one of the first participants in the Green House Project as the executive director. His history with the Project is highlighted by his notable involvement with The Woodlands at John Knox Village, which is the first skilled nursing Green House Project in the state of Florida. He was responsible for the programming, master plan, and conceptual design of the multi-story project – one of only a few of its kind in the country.
Scott was asked to help the organization write their first architectural program for use by future Green House Project architects. Selected to help author the document for several reasons, he prepared the first comprehensive summary for a Green House Project to create an all-encompassing, outcome-focused program document for designers. Having lead the organization to establish a successful organizational data structure in order to establish basic standards and identify trends, Scott is also a highly trusted and recommended advisor to owners who are considering the Green House model.
