In the cradle of the American Revolution stands a new transitional care community that developers believe is a revolution of another kind. It is a 21st century model of housing and care for American veterans.
Built to serve vulnerable military veterans and their families in the Boston area, the 102-unit Brighton Marine is a $46 million project of WinnDevelopment, the TAT architecture firm and the Brighton Marine nonprofit veterans group. The 1.4-acre property offers a full complement of on-site clinical, behavioral health and family support services to the underserved veteran population, including those who are impoverished, in poor health, elderly or homeless. One of the largest veterans’ developments in the nation, it is the first community of this scale to open in Boston since World War II.
In following its mission of promoting resident health and well-being, Brighton Marine’s design creates a comforting environment favoring inspiration over the typical institutional character commonplace in similar communities, firm representatives say. The community’s design is inspired by the neighborhood’s historic architecture, particularly the animated bay fronts that characterize nearby streets.
“In its design and planning, Brighton Marine is an important case study in supportive housing that addresses the diverse needs of veterans and their families, and everyone at TAT is proud to have helped create a new home for those who have proudly served our country,” says TAT associate Ed Bradford.
Primary interior spaces include a large courtyard in the center of the campus, and feature a community-sponsored health and wellness office, a flex space that can be furnished as a classroom or general meeting area, and a large gym and theater room. The bright, airy interiors offer high-quality finishes and extensive artwork and mural installations. Complete with expansive city views, each individual unit is designed to capitalize on the building’s highly visible location situated along tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, near downtown Boston.
“One of the most successful design features of Brighton Marine is the angular projecting bays,” says TAT project manager Ryan Hagler. “Not only do these elements give the exterior its distinctive serrated form, but they transform the otherwise modest apartment layouts into dynamic living spaces that extend beyond the boundaries of the exterior walls.”
WinnCompanies CEO Gilbert Winn points out that the Brighton Marine community “is far more than just a housing development; it represents a commitment to the long-term success of our veterans and their families.”
From the November 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
