PROJECT Central Nebraska Veterans Home

LOCATION  Kearney, Nebraska US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  8/25/2018

ARCHITECT  EBA Ernest Bland Associates, P.C.

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER  Architect of Record - WILKINS, 2908 W 39th Street, Suite A, Kearney, NE 68845, keklund@wilkinsadp.com 308.237.5787. Design Architectural Firm - EBA Ernest Bland Associates, P.C. 802 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 ebland@ebapc.com 301.589.4811

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Ernest Bland, AIA, Project Principal Designer, Scott Stober AIA, Sr. Architect, Kali Eklund RA, Project Manager,Tom Osborn, FAIA, Sr. Healthcare Planner, Wes Seals RA, Project Architect, Larom Lancaster AIA, Project Architect

OWNER/CLIENT

CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Hausmann Construction

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Big Muddy Workshop

PHOTOGRAPHER  Paul Brokering Photography

CIVIL ENGINEER Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Performance Engineering
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Morrissey Engineering Inc.
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Morrissey Engineering Inc.
CONSULTANT Encompass Interiors, 2340 West County Road C, Suite 100, Roseville MN, 55113, info@encompassgroup.net, 651.646.6600
CONSULTANT Food Lines, 209 S. 9th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, info@ericksonsullivan.net, 402.475.1787
CONSULTANT Ray Brown and Associates, 412 W. 48th St., Suite 20, Kearney, NE 68845, office@raybrownandassociates.com, 308.234.3515
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  

The Central Nebraska Veterans Home is a replacement facility located in rural Kearney, Nebraska on a 67-acre site. Accommodating 225 Veterans, this is one of the largest Community Living Centers nationwide based upon VA’s transformational, resident-centered model of care. Relocating from an outdated institutional setting in Grand Island, Nebraska, Veterans in the state now benefit from a spacious and homelike community environment with a variety of amenities and services which promote self-determination and freedom of choice in their daily routines. This holistic approach provides clinical, therapeutic, extracurricular, and spiritual needs in a single facility, thereby elevating Veterans’ quality of life and dignity.

The State facility accommodates Veterans needing domiciliary housing as well as those with long term, dementia, and palliative care needs. Based upon the “small house” concept, the 330,000 square foot facility contains three major components: 18 “Homes”, each consisting of 12-15 private “Member” bedrooms, common Living/Dining/Kitchen areas; a 75,000 square foot Community Center housing large group activity, clinical, and administrative/support functions; and two “Hubs” housing rehab therapy, activity, and support space. Unlike its predecessor facility, the new complex is planned on a single level and all components are connected by enclosed walkways that offer views to the expansive surroundings, including the new 1.5 acre Lake/”Fishing Pond”. Reflective of regional character, the architecture features stone masonry accents on the public side and transitions to a residential expression with individual identifying interior and exterior elements for the Homes. Masonry hearths in common areas, warm interior finishes, and natural light from large windows, including skylights and clerestories in large public spaces, are design features that serve to promote health and wellness that contribute spiritual uplift and provides a healing environment.

Developed on an expansive tract of former farmland, the designed program components are organized with the Community Center and Lake as the central axis between six neighborhood clusters and two Hubs. With this symmetry, all Neighborhoods are equidistant to services in the Hubs and Community Center. A continuous loop road provides convenient visitor and service access, as well as parking along the perimeter. Oriented in a manner to maximize views, all components are linked by enclosed walkways protecting Veterans from the elements while providing seamless internal connectivity throughout the year. The campus uses a geothermal energy source for heating.

In order to support the Veteran-centered environment, a significant consideration for the planning of this complex facility was to develop a way to accommodate operational logistics behind the scenes. Key operational components include dietary/food service and delivery, medications/medical supply, mail service, linen service, and soiled linen and trash removal. The site plan and configuration of individual program components create natural enclosures and separations between off-stage service functions and secluded areas for respite and outdoor recreation.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)

1. Covered Main Entrance to Central Nebraska Veterans Home Community Center. This is the central building of the facility and contains numerous functions supporting the Veterans’ clinical and recreational activities.
2. Lake View of the Community Center featuring the Great Room and Fishing Platform on the left.
3. Located at the central intersection of the organizational axes of the complex, the Hearth Room features a ridge skylight and a commissioned ceiling mural that serves as a tribute to the Central Nebraska Veterans. This space functions as the Town Square for the Community Living Center.

4. Neighborhood Entry with cupola and clerestory above.
5. Neighborhood Lobby with clerestory lightwell above and named home entry beyond.
6. The member room is the primary foundational element of the design of the entire 330,000 sf complex. The bedrooms include a convenient, discrete nurse server cabinet at the entry to the room. The room also includes an overhead patient lift with direct access to the bathroom.
7. The natural light-filled pathway serves as a connector to various destinations throughout the complex. The Wood Shop, with direct views of the Lake, is an example of the many activities available to the Veterans.
8. Great Room with generous view to Lake beyond. The space is located along the primary axis of the 67 acre complex.