AFCS/Perley Health Intergenerational Care Facility
Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (AFCS) and Perley Health collaborated with CSV Architects on the design of this exciting and groundbreaking project. Perley Health, a provider of long-term care to over 600 seniors and veterans, has been expanded to create the first intergenerational early learning centre in Canada.
The project involved the renovation of 3,531 ft² of existing space plus the addition of 3,789 ft² of new construction within an existing courtyard. The new facility provides 49 new childcare spaces. Universal design principles guided this project to ensure accessibility for a wide range of people, including seniors, children, and those with physical disabilities.
The new childcare centre includes central gathering spaces for shared activities and are sized to accommodate mobility devices. This includes a kitchen where kids and seniors alike can work together to make cookies, bake bread, or engage in other types of hands-on learning.
The use of colour was important in the design of this project. Colour is used for wayfinding, to help both children and seniors navigate the space. Acoustic dampening is also vital to keep the noise from the childcare centre from impacting other areas of the facility and to accommodate people with noise sensitivities.
An outdoor play yard includes a network of pathways allowing seniors with mobility devices to interact with the kids outdoors. A large canopy will allow outdoor participation even on rainy or snowy days. A dedicated entrance and a fully separated ventilation system will ensure safety and continuous operation in the event of an outbreak like Covid-19.