The Converse Home

Photography:  Michael Shopenn

The Converse Home, on this site for over one hundred years, began exploring expansion options in the late 1990's, after recognizing that its amenities were lagging behind consumer expectations. The expansion plans had to maximize the total number of units and include a 16 bed memory loss unit with state-of-the-art attached garden space. Common space requirements included expanded dining and full kitchen; multiple living spaces; administration, nursing, and building maintenance spaces; recreation/arts/crafts space; hair salon, country kitchen and private dining room.

Utilizing the favorable corner lot setback requirements and the property's gentle upward slope, the 40,000 SF L shaped addition, centered on the ca 1800 structure, nestles comfortably into the site. The third story of the addition is contained within the roof of its basic two story mass, so as to relate to the scale of the original building. The memory loss unit's garden is located on the east side of the second floor, enclosed by the building and a combination of old and new stone walls and cedar fencing. Brick veneer and metal roofing combine to complement the painted brick and slate roof of the original building.