Hobin Architecture’s relationship with The Grove began in 2011 with a master plan study that looked at redeveloping the existing home and constructing an addition to accommodate the additional beds required to serve the community. It considered the creation of a Seniors’ Centre and Supportive Housing that would serve a diverse demographic from simple studios, two-bedrooms to cluster homes where eight people would live within a home unit and work together in preparing meals.
Using our pre-planning design package, The Grove pursued Ministry approval for a 36-bed expansion which was granted in 2017. The original home was built with donations from the community, and had earned the reputation of being a place where exemplary care is provided to its residents. As designers, our major challenge lay in the creation of a new home that would build on this reputation while respecting a compressed budgetary and timeline framework. Opening its doors to residents in 2021, the new 96-bed building was constructed adjacent to the original home on the scenic and secluded Ottawa Valley property surrounded by dense forest, and yet, a stone’s throw from the heart of Arnprior village.
Two resident home areas (RHA) are located on the second floor and one on the ground floor, with the remainder of the ground floor being used for community spaces, staff support spaces and a 2,840 sq. ft. Family Health Team Clinic which operates independently of The Grove. The floor plan anticipates future expansion, with a kitchen design that will support additional beds.
Construction of the home had just begun when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Through a group effort put forth by Arnprior Regional Health, the contractor and our consultant team, we were able to successfully navigate the many supply chain issues and evolving provincial health directives. The building’s design needed to be refined in real time during construction as the pandemic would call for heightened infection control protocols, physical distancing and staffing challenges. ◼