Project Title: The Mooring at the Downs

Firm: Gawron Turgeon Architects, P.C.

Submitted for Consideration in: Architecture, Landscape, Interiors

Client: Lynn Peel

Location: Scarborough, ME

Project-At-a-Glance:
The Mooring on Foreside, an award-winning memory care home designed by Gawron Turgeon Architects, P.C. (GTA), served as the model for this sister community in Scarborough, Maine. Working closely with the owner, GTA blended the classic New England residential features of the original home with the latest memory care innovations.

Project Narrative:

Designed to serve the specific needs of individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of progressive memory loss, The Mooring at the Downs sets new standards for assisted living, going beyond traditional institutional care and nursing home models. At The Mooring at the Downs, residents are an integral part of the community. Housemates experience customized, resident-centric care in a home-like setting, with programming that leverages cognitive strengths, preserves autonomy and respects individuality. This environment also fosters a sense of tranquility through its soft, cool-toned color palette and nautical furnishings.

The Mooring at the Downs houses 12 private rooms in a small-house model to enhance connectedness and a sense of community for residents. The home is nestled into the residential neighborhood at The Downs, providing residents with the opportunity to spend time outside walking through the village, tending to vegetable gardens, or relaxing in the private, enclosed patio area. This enables housemates to safely socialize and enjoy the benefits of their community.

Each private room—equipped with its own bathroom—opens up to warm and inviting common areas, including an activities space as well as dining and living areas. Residents have access to a beautifully equipped, open kitchen where staff prepare home cooked meals. The family kitchen flows into a spacious dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the patio. Every space was designed to fulfill the goals of functionality, comfort, accessibility and relaxed elegance.

This project exemplifies our practice of combining functionality with comfort. At The Mooring at the Downs, we worked closely with the owner to create a sense of place for residents, blending privacy, tranquility and nature with a welcoming community.