Freedom Village Retirement Community

Freedom Village at Brandywine is constructed around a traditional continuing care retirement facility configuration of four residential wings radiating from a central core. Of these wings, the B and C wings, combined with the Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care buildings, create a semi-enclosed outdoor courtyard. All levels of care provided at Freedom Village have access to this courtyard. The courtyard also provides the only means of fire department access to the buildings. Derck & Edson was invited to renovate the outdoor courtyard space to create a more active and welcoming environment.

With input from the residents, specific shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials were placed in the courtyard to provide shade, flowers, and seasonal interest. The result of the renovation is an exceedingly successful recreational courtyard with a variety of wellness activities for all care levels. Residents now have attractive amenities that are actually used by all care levels.

Derck & Edson worked with the staff and residents of Freedom Village to identify the most important wellness and outdoor amenities they desired for the courtyard. The renovation design specified a looped walking path connecting each building surrounding the space to a relocated central gazebo and plaza. Along the path, seating nodes provide resting areas that offer views to an expanded shuffleboard court, a boccie lawn, and relocated horseshoe pits. The expanded walking trail is now a focal point for socialization and activity.