Launching into a New Decade of Senior Living Design
The RDG-designed Menno Haven Life Center celebrates its grand opening, bringing with it a bold new vision for the future of senior living environments.
More than 400 residents, team members and community partners gathered on January 28 to celebrate the opening of Menno Haven Retirement Community’s new Life Center building. The center is part of Project Genesis, Menno Haven’s five-year strategic master plan, and is the fourth collaboration between RDG and Menno Haven as part of that plan.
Located in historic Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, the newly constructed Life Center reflects the organization’s vision to meet the needs of future generations of seniors by supporting social and active lifestyles. The building’s position at the center of campus, along with newly installed sidewalks, ensures convenient access from all points of the community and realizes Menno Haven’s aim to create a hub for community activities.
“This project responds to the mounting evidence of a positive correlation between social interaction and healthy aging,” said RDG Architect and Principal Scott Pfeifer, AIA. “As designers and planners with a deep passion for the environments where seniors live, we are encouraged by Menno Haven’s drive to meet the needs of the next generation of elders. Purpose-driven spaces like the Life Center are redefining what it means to grow old, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that change.”
The 33,000-SF building features a restaurant and coffee shop, movie theater, art center, salon and spa and 250-seat banquet center, in addition to many spaces for gathering and outdoor activities. The project was funded through Menno Haven’s “Nurturing the Human Spirit” capital campaign.
“The goal in our new Life Center is to support our independent living residents to live confidently by ensuring that they have a place to gather for fellowship, fun and enjoy many types of enriching activities,” said Menno Haven CEO, Hugh Davis.