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One Kenton Alzheimer's Centre of Excellence by Irwin Rapoport courtesy B'nai Brith canada B 'Nai Brith Canada's One Kenton Alzheimer's Centre of Excellence in suburban Toronto is unique. It is Canada's first dedicated Alzheimer's residence with a built-in research com- ponent run by Ivey International Centre for Health Innovation, which is working with the staff to develop techniques to better serve those with the disease. One Kenton is a private, not-for- profit home that will serve those who are facing the challenges of caring for loved ones suffering from the effects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The One Kenton Foundation was established as a fundraising arm for the residence. Located at the corner of Bathurst and Kenton, this four-storey (upper) and one lower level L-shaped building houses 45 people with Alzheimer's (early to middle stages) and dementia issues in 44 suites. The upper floors contain the living area – eight suites and a com- mon area, the main lobby, offices for the nursing staff and executive director, and multi-purpose rooms on the first floor; 13 suites and two common areas on the second floor; and 12 suites and two common areas on the third and fourth floors. The lower level contains the offices for the research staff, a kosher kitchen, hair salon, programming and multi- purpose spaces, and the mechanical section. The residence is served by a centrally located elevator bank. The residence's other office space was purposely minimized and placed on the lower level to maintain the feel- ing of a home and not an institution, nor are there any nursing stations or office spaces on the upper floors in order to maintain the feeling of a personal home. "The Ivey Centre is on site to gather the information, with the research being integrated into the regular care," says Isaac Weinroth, One Kenton's executive director. "For instance, we have a hand sanitizer system to address infection control. It utilizes a sensor system that prompts residents, staff and visitors to wash their hands to reduce infections brought into the home and those that are circulating throughout it. We are looking to make advances and improve- ments for the care of individuals on a long-term basis." The sensor system also tracks people in the building to ensure that everyone is accounted for. One Kenton is based on a retire- ment home model, but one that offers a higher level of nursing-type care that is oriented towards individuals via per- sonal support staff, doctors and various health care staff, and related program and activity staff. "It's built like a con- dominium," says Weinroth. "Each suite is a bedroom with a private washroom. Each floor is divided into two sections – each with its own common area, but the model of care is unique as it is cen- tred on the needs of the individual. The residents have different set-ups for their days and a different care plan as they live on different schedules, which has them eating at times that they prefer and following their own patterns." One Kenton was designed by Climans Green Liang Architects Inc., with Bob Green as the lead architect. The exte- rior of the building is clad with a unique Dryvit EIFS wall system, which gives the appearance of a brick facade. This sys- tem was chosen to save valuable inches within the building interior. All aspects of the design were detailed to ensure maximum spatial efficiencies. "It's the latest system from Dryvit and it has only been used in a few places," says Green. "It gives us the masonry look without the thickness of a masonry wall assembly." Abundant glazing was an important consideration in the building design. "We used a commercial aluminum win- dow system and provided generous windows for the lobby and common areas. Each suite has a large window and there is a large window at the end of each corridor. The building is very bright, which provides a warm and friendly atmosphere," adds Green. Medical experts associated with Alzheimer's care were consulted for the design and the focus on the needs of residents is also reflected in the design and layout of each floor. "Minimizing the travel of residents was stressed to us in terms of minimizing confusion and easing mobility for the residents," says Green. "The floor material chosen was a hygienic sheet vinyl with a wood grain finish that helps give the facility a resi- dential feeling. A fireplace was placed on each floor within the common area to reinforce the residential feeling." The suites provide ample opportuni- ties for residents and their families to personalize each suite. "Just as impor- tant in our thinking were the family members that visit the residence, and to give them an environment that is bright and uplifting because the course of Alzheimer's is a very depressing process," says Green. He adds that the final design and con- struction of One Kenton met the design team's benchmarks and says they are pleased with the way it is being moni- tored by others. "The Ivey program is developing and sharing ideas and this will be a leading-edge facility in that regard," says Green. "It's a rewarding project to be involved with and one that will benefit many now and in the future." In terms of landscaping, green space consisting of native trees, grass and shrubs surrounds the building with some common areas and walkouts that are private and secure. Avcon Construction Inc. delivered the residence after a few delays. "The fact that we were building on two resi- dential lots in a high-traffic area made things like the foundation and crane work quite difficult," says project man- ager Eugene Zigelman. "We did a lot of pre-planning prior to each phase of con- struction. There was probably a good month of planning with the foundation because there were a number of specific excavation requirements. "There were weather concerns via the exterior cladding system," he adds. "It was a unique system because there was an actual brick pattern system and metallic finishes, and it was all done with EIFS and that required us to heat and tarp to install it." It was critical for Zigelman to be on schedule and budget, and the good relationship with the architect ensured this outcome. "It was team oriented," he says. "Any problem that arose on- site was dealt with through conversa- tion, mutual thought process and brain storming to arrive at the most reason- able cost-efficient solution. We all had a heartfelt desire to succeed as Alzheim- er's touches so many people and this is an important community project." n Location 1 Kenton, Toronto, Ontario owner/DeveLoper B'nai Brith Canada architect/interior Design Climans Green Liang Architects Inc. generaL contractor Avcon Construction Inc. structuraL consuLtant Jablonsky, Ast & Partners MechanicaL/eLectricaL consuLtants Mak Engineering geotechnicaL/soiLs consuLtant Haddad Geotechnical Inc. civiL consuLtant Bill Nottenboom Engineering LanDscape consuLtant Terraplan Landscape Architects totaL area 25,000 square feet totaL project cost $8.5 million february 2014 /69 One Kenton alzheimer's Centre of excellence p68-69One Kenton Alzheimer's.indd 69 14-01-27 9:47 AM