Heritage Commons at Pond’s Edge

Building size
94,000 square feet

Building type
Four-story, wood-frame construction with brick and siding exterior

Building style
Essentially Colonial in character, following one of four approved styles in the pattern book created for family homes in the Heritage Park redevelopment (Other styles are European Romantic, Arts and Crafts, and Victorian — all seen in Minneapolis neighborhoods)

Building site
Prime location on Van White Memorial Boulevard, across street from pond and park amenities in Heritage Park

Number of apartments
102

Apartment size
580 square feet (one bedroom)

Major features
• indoor and outdoor community spaces
• raised-bed resident gardens
• rain garden (fed by water draining off pavement in parking lot)
• library/classroom
• café/store
• beauty salon
• exercise room
• second-floor open balcony
• great room with fireplace
• nurse’s station and social services
• high-speed Internet access
• entry lobby with two-story atrium
• assisted-living service center discreetly located on second floor
• small commons areas throughout building, intended to foster social interaction among residents

Universal Design at Heritage Commons

Universal design is about making environments and products usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible.

At Heritage Commons universal design principles are reflected in choices of flooring, finishes and colors, in “wayfinding” and dozens of other design decisions, large and small.

Following are examples of specific design features that will make Heritage Commons a wonderful place for seniors to live.

General features
• two laundry rooms per floor (reducing travel distance) with adjacent balconies
• storage locker for each apartment, on same floor as apartment
• multiple windows in hallways for natural light, views of park
• 24-inch-high window sills
• generous corridors, with windows into corridors and elevator lobby
• combined direct and indirect lighting — downlights, sconces, cove lighting and accent lighting — in commons areas for even illumination at a high light-level (older eyes need more lighting and high-contrast conditions create problems)
• upholstered furniture at rest points throughout building
• column-free dining room allowing 30 square feet per person for better maneuverability
• light switches in contrasting color to cover-plate

Apartment
• entry recessed from corridor (allows maneuvering room, defines threshold as home)
with package shelf for setting belongings at door while using key
• generously-sized (580 square feet) one-bedroom apartments with walk-in closets
• sconce lighting at every entry door
• classic six-panel wood doors at entry

Fully accessible kitchen
• 34-inch-high countertop with roll-under workspace and sink
• under-cabinet task lighting
• full extension pull-outs for all base-cabinet shelves, pull-out drawers in pantry cabinet (both extend over lap for resident in wheel chair)
• lever faucets on double-bowl stainless steel sinks

Bathroom
• 34-inch-high, wall-mounted roll-under lavatory sink
• built-in cabinet at accessible height (to replace under-sink storage)
• 17-inch-high toilet with grab bars that don’t look institutional
• accessible shower stall with grab bars that don’t look institutional
• ceiling light fixture, frosted sconces flanking lavatory mirror
• illuminated light switch
• detachable shower head
• door swings outward (for ease of assistance)
• toilet and shower fixtures are accessible
• all bathrooms accessed directly from bedroom, bathroom door convenient to bed

Bedroom
• bedside switch for ceiling light
• pair of closet doors make entire closet accessible

Security
In addition to electronic security, the siting of the building and its architecture feature numerous elements of "defensible space" design. Basically, this means designing and defining public, semi-public, semi-private and private spaces for maximum surveillance.

For more information on design of Heritage Commons, please contact

Emilio Bettaglio, Director of Capital Improvements
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority
612.342.1419
ebettaglio@mplspha.org

Kent Simon, Vice President and lead architect
Miller Hanson Partners
612.332.5420
ksimon@millerhanson.com

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