©All Rights Reserved, Frank Döring

Florence Senior Center

Florence, Kentucky

We held design meetings with the seniors in Florence to make sure that this space truly worked for them.  From those meetings it was clear that flexible spaces to accommodate different activities for the older residents, who can vary in age from 50 to over 100 years, was key. The large open lobby serves as the "living room" of the center and contains a variety of meeting spaces both intimate and communal.  Surrounding this lobby are other gathering spaces, including a computer room, reading room, large multi-purpose room, exercise room, and wellness room.  There is a full service kitchen off the multi-purpose room, which is dividable by a folding partition.  The program areas, totaling 8,700 square feet, are articulated as brick masses separated by glazed "gaps".  Large glazed openings and skylights provide ample daylight in the space.  A curved stone wall bisects the plan leading one from the entrance to the park beyond.  The mechanical systems include geothermal heating for the floors to provide additional comfort for the occupants. The furnishings were carefully selected with consideration for the senior users.