Country Meadows of Forks in Easton, set to open this summer, offers plenty of style, amenities and function for its residents, by design.
Located in a rural setting in Forks Township near Easton, Pa., the retirement community was designed to blend into its location, taking advantage of beautiful country views and natural light. Borrowing generously from arts and crafts-style architecture, the buildings’ exterior façade features stacked stone similar to homes in the neighboring community, and ties the structure to its country setting.
Country Meadows of Forks has many elegant features such as a stacked-stone wall and fireplace pictured here.
Amenities and functionality drove the interior design with Country Meadows residents, prospective residents and their families serving as primary consultants.
“We listen and learn,” says Carl Helman, director of facility design -Country Meadows. “We are constantly asking for feedback at all of our sites to get our best guidance on what to offer in our design. Industry studies tend to reinforce what we’re already learning through direct feedback. We know that future residents will expect more of an upscale look and feel with nice finishes and amenities, so we’ve offered that in this design.”
Outdoor living is easy for residents with a series of courtyards and gardens complete with benches, walking paths, balconies, covered porches and raised planters for resident gardeners to enjoy summer hobbies. The secure Connections memory support neighborhood features a courtyard built to offer a safe location for residents to enjoy the great outdoors.
Inside, the architectural style continues with a seamless look that travels throughout public spaces. The dining room is open to the living room and the adjacent multipurpose room. With a flexible design feature inspired by experience, all of these areas can be opened to create one large elegant space for campus-wide gatherings and community events such as receptions or ceremonies. They also can be closed to accommodate smaller, more intimate affairs. The areas are unified with more than 16,000 feet of painted and stained wood trim and cabinetry, stone fireplaces and large windows to maximize the amount of natural light to all spaces.
Aerial view of Country Meadows of Forks.
“Natural light is known to have a positive effect,” says Helman. “In this residence we have increased the amount of natural light including double windows in all resident rooms.”
In addition to natural light, the emphasis is on color and texture in the spacious gathering areas. The dining space, which features large windows and stacked-stone finishes, is designed to recreate a five-star dining experience within a comfortable family atmosphere. A separate private dining area is available for small family celebrations.
The modern design also incorporates a full-service beauty salon, fitness center and therapy suite, making it easy for residents to access and use services to maximum benefit.
Based on common requests, individual apartments are a generous size and feature high-quality finishes with natural wood cabinetry and quartz countertops. Each independent living apartment has a full kitchen and a laundry center equipped for a washer and dryer, and assisted living/personal care accommodations include private kitchenettes. Large bathrooms are 100 percent ADA-accessible in every apartment.
Peppered throughout residential areas are common areas for neighbors and friends to gather. Living and media rooms are comfortably appointed for group television viewing, movie night or other activities within the neighborhood.
“This community takes everything we’ve learned over the years and combines it with outstanding amenities and finishes, surfaces and colors that are attractive and current,” says Helman. “It’s truly designed to meet if not exceed the expectations of a new generation.”