丨美国西雅图

Aegis Living Ballard

A design vision inspired by the stories of canneries, fishing fleets and the timber industry that make up the roots of the Pacific Northwest, Aegis Living Ballard is an assisted living and memory care community that unlocks the memories of pastimes. The four-story building features 88,000 square feet of space and 92 studio, one and two-bedroom units (64 assisted living rooms and 28 memory care studios).

Aegis Living Ballard expands the palette of residential living for the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard and surrounding areas, emphasizing care for higher acuity residents in need of assistance with daily activities (assisted living), as well as providing residential care for residents with memory loss.

The project design team at DAHLIN Architecture | Planning | Interiors studied the history and cultural heritage of Ballard, a predominantly Scandinavian neighborhood, to create a sense of familiarity for residents. Throughout the interior of the new community, the Danish concept of “hygge”—a quality of coziness and comfort that fosters a feeling of community, contentment and wellbeing—is ever-present. Natural light, organic textures and materials like leather and wood, and elements of nature create a cozy, tranquil and inviting space. Flowing from room to room is a soothing palette of coastal blues, nautical accents and the calming sound of water.

The building’s use of color, repetitive windows, and strong massing forms honor the local history and culture of Ballard with a Scandinavian sensibility blended with a salmon fishing cannery design similar to those found in Monterey, Astoria, or Anacortes. Northwest and Nordic roots are blended in ways that are thoughtful, distinctive and unexpected:

· The building’s exterior reflects a cannery-style design reminiscent of the fishing industry that built Ballard in the early 1900’s.

· The first floor features a spectacular, locally crafted 36-foot-long Viking ship hull suspended from the ceiling of the main hallway leading into the community.

· A beautiful art installation titled “The Compass” features a six-foot wheel that was designed and carved out of recycled wood by local artist Steve Jensen. Jensen comes from a long line of Norwegian fisherman and boat builders.

· As you enter the building, a remarkable water feature and glass sculpture symbolizes spawning salmon and the Ballard Lock fish ladder. It includes 87 acrylic prisms that catch the light and change in color. The sculpture was designed by Yellow Goat Designs with the Aegis Interiors team.

· A cycling-themed sports lounge showcases the local cycling culture and gives a nod to the nearby Burke-Gilman Trail and in celebration of the annual Ballard Criterion. The lounge opens onto the main corridor and overlooks the Viking ship.

The community has a mix of uses for its residents and visitors, including a highly active ground floor with dining room, living room, activity room, and bistro fronting onto NW Market Street. The ground floor also includes a resident cinema, salon, barbershop, massage room, balance room, and pub.

Status:

Built

Location:

Seattle, WA, US

Firm Role:

Architect and Interior Designer

Additional Credits:

Developer: Aegis Living

Construction: Ryan Companies