Coleman House Modernization Accommodates Resident's Changing Needs
As people age, their needs change. At 2Life, we believe homes should be designed to accommodate those changes. That’s the idea behind the major renovation of our Coleman House campus in Newton. This extensive, $30 million project is focused on modernizing 146 apartments across two buildings to improve comfort and convenience for both current and future residents, while supporting 2Life’s long-term sustainability goals.
“With all our campuses, we focus on adaptability as well as accessibility. Our apartments are designed to adapt to each resident’s changing physical and cognitive needs as they age,” explains Elise Selinger, real estate innovation manager at 2Life. Selinger adds that ideas about aging in community have changed significantly since the two Coleman House buildings were originally constructed in the 1980s and 1990s.
To develop a modernization plan, 2Life worked with Perkins Eastman, an architecture firm with a nationally renowned senior living practice. To realize those plans, 2Life is partnering with Dellbrook JKS, one of the leading construction firms in the Northeast and a longtime supporter of 2Life’s mission. The city of Newton and the West Metro Home Consortium played a critical role, providing financial support totaling more than $5 million.
Truly a comprehensive undertaking, the Coleman House project encompasses major updates to the apartments, as well as to the building envelope and its mechanical systems. This includes new, more efficient heating and cooling systems that prioritize electric power over fossil fuels, improved ventilation, and energy-efficient windows specially designed for easy opening and closing with minimal physical effort.
Innovative thought went into every detail. A new temperature control system allows for individually controlled thermostats, enabling customized comfort settings for each resident, with centralized programming and analytics for asset management. The “smart” system even detects when a window is open and automatically turns the air conditioning off to save energy. Even the thermostats are optimized for older adults, with large, easy-to-read displays and buttons.
Spaces within the apartments are being reconfigured to meet residents’ evolving needs. Bathrooms are expanded to accommodate the turning radius of a walker or wheelchair. Tubs are replaced with showers for ease of entry. Kitchen layouts reflect the same thoughtful design, eliminating things like corner sinks that can restrict access when using walkers or wheelchairs. Lighting throughout the apartments is also being expanded and placed intelligently to aid visibility. Carpeting will be replaced with luxury vinyl plank flooring that is attractive, long-wearing and easy to clean.
While the project is progressing in phases to minimize disruption for residents, early reviews are positive. “It was a top-to-bottom apartment renovation,” says resident Marilyn Sokoll. “They did a really good job. All the improvements they made are very beneficial.” And when asked if it
was worth the inconvenience of temporary relocation to another “hoteling” apartment at Coleman House, Sokoll adds an enthusiastic, “Oh, yes!”
As the Coleman House modernization continues toward its planned completion date in late 2023, it sets the stage for 2Life’s planned middle- income project, Opus, which will connect to Coleman House. When complete, Opus will create an expanded, income-inclusive community on a single campus adjacent to the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center. (Learn more about Opus at 2LifeOpus.org.)
Together, the Coleman House changes and the addition of Opus are about creating places where all older adults can live joyously into the future. As Sokoll says of her updated apartment, “I’m very grateful that I’ve landed in a permanent home for life.”
