Caring Place Complex

Empower elders, team members + visitors to live fulfilled lives—together
The Forest County Potawatomi Community partnered with EUA to design a replacement Caring Place for their existing community. Our discovery process included visioning sessions, community questionnaires, small-group listening sessions, building tours, and guided visits through the Potawatomi Cultural Center and Museum, leading to a deeper understanding of the project’s needs before we began design.

The new complex, inspired by the concept of a village in the woods, includes multiple buildings connected through a series of glassy interior corridors, providing connectivity while allowing each building to maintain its own identity and access. The project includes independent living apartments and households for skilled nursing and special needs residents. Project amenities include a congregate dining space, atrium library, teaching kitchen and multiple activity and art spaces—which will serve both Caring Place residents and elders living in the community. Future phases will accommodate additional independent living, assisted living and memory care residents.

The design aims to strengthen the elders’ sense of self and Potawatomi heritage through a strong connection to nature. The buildings prioritize ample daylight and access to nature, and exterior and interior finishes use multiple scales and tones of wood and stone. Each building’s design palette pays homage to regionally-specific ecosystems and incorporates healthy materials, bright colors and multi-sensory engagement with nature. Honoring the Potawatomi legacy of strong stewardship of place and resources, the project incorporates many sustainability features to reduce energy and water use and preserve the character of the existing site.