Light Path was a unique opportunity to work with longtime clients at an important stage in their lives. The home extends their relationship with the land they have lived on for more than 40 years, providing an environment to safely age in place while addressing specific quality of life improvements to assist the husband, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. A collaborative design process wove together modern aesthetics and functionality and involved significant research into how architecture can improve quality of life and facilitate change for those living with Alzheimer’s – through thoughtful planning and detailing. Passive sustainable design strategies, an intuitive layout and multisensory connection between interior and surrounding landscape combine to create an adaptive, resilient dwelling.

The primary pathways of the home form a cross in plan, providing easy circulation between bedroom, living, and dining areas. Expansive windows, a 92-foot-long skylight along the home’s central axis, and sliding-glass doors between the den and sheltered porch create an airy environment connected to the outdoors. The operable skylight and windows encourage natural ventilation while increasing daylight for tasks and wayfinding. Anticipating future wheelchair use, we designed wide hallways, a spacious garage with unrestricted same-level entry, accessible bathrooms, workspaces with lowered counters, and easily grasped, custom-designed door handles and drawer pulls.

Natural and locally sourced materials help anchor the home to its site. Sustainably harvested cedar siding was selected for its durability and resistance to rot and insects, given the home’s forested environment. Reclaimed heartwood pine was used in the flooring and local white pine clads the ceilings, which together bring warmth to the interior and are enlivened by plentiful natural light. Regional bluestone in the floor of the entry, den and covered porch creates an extended indoor/outdoor gathering area when the porch doors are open, and bluestone planks form the tall fireplace that anchors the living room at the end of the skylight. These materials, natural light and views, and low contrast interiors, imbue Light Path with a familiarity and material tonal range that is important to Alzheimer’s patients and reflects an appreciation of place and detailed craftsmanship desired by our clients.