The Lighthouse
Addition &
Renovation
Immanuel Lakeside's Lighthouse Addition & Renovation represents a comprehensive transformation of the community's long-term care, memory care and short-term rehabilitation households, driven by Immanuel's mission of Christ-centered service and its commitment to ensuring all people age with dignity, safety and wellness.
The client sought to update aging, compartmentalized environments that limited sightlines, restricted community gathering and no longer aligned with current care standards.
RDG's design introduces a fresh, bright, homelike aesthetic that supports both resident comfort and staff efficiency, blending durability with warmth to create spaces that truly feel like home. The project centers on updating finishes, lighting, and furnishings while preserving the character of the existing stained wood trim.
Thoughtful color palettes distinguish each household and reinforce identity, while durable materials, such as shaker-style laminate casework, beadboard-inspired wall protection, and resin-printed artwork integrated into nurse stations, along with furniture and fabrics built for this environment, provide residential character without sacrificing longevity.
Improved lighting, especially in previously dim or shadowy areas, enhances safety and comfort. Open-concept household layouts provide clearer sightlines, promote resident engagement and facilitate easier staff supervision. Because the building remained occupied throughout construction, RDG developed a deliberate phasing strategy to minimize disruption.
Completing the household addition first allowed residents to move only once before settling into updated homes, while the addition ultimately transitioned into the new short-term rehabilitation household. Custom casework supports staff workflows, a bright and uplifting staff breakroom enhances employee well-being, and household layouts provide comfortable spaces for dining, activities, quiet relaxation and fostering a family-like connection. These environments nurture small-community living, strengthening bonds between residents and staff and helping individuals feel seen, supported and valued.
A minor but meaningful component of the project involved improving lighting in the chapel. The dramatic stained glass allowed beautiful natural light to filter in, but with only wall-mounted fixtures for interior lighting, the overall space was poorly lit. Through a series of light level calculations and renderings, RDG, along with their electrical consultant, Morrissey Engineering, identified new wall sconces that provide more balanced illumination while preserving the space's character, resulting in a more comfortable environment for worship and reflection.
Throughout the entire project, the renovation and addition reflect Immanuel's commitment to compassionate care, creating safe, inviting, and meaningful spaces where residents can enjoy daily life with dignity and connection.