The Providence is Grand Winner, Senior at 2022 MFE Awards

Mark Boisclair

In Fairfax, Virginia, the 154 residences of The Providence are grounded by a lush courtyard terrace. Complementing the existing residential development of the MetroWest neighborhood, the building is a mixture of masonry, metal panel systems, and large windows throughout to enhance the indoor environment.

The mid-rise assisted living and memory care community is bright and airy with lush outdoor spaces, state-of-the-art technology, and an amenity-rich, hospitality-centered lifestyle for seniors who need assistance with various daily tasks. LEED Silver-certified, the eight-story building has “neighborhoods” on separate floors to meet the care needs of residents. The neighborhoods feature distinct color palettes, finishes, and artwork to promote identity.

Each studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment includes modern kitchenettes, upscale finishes, tall ceilings, ample natural light, and high-end appliances. Half of the apartments include private balconies with patio doors. Some units feature nearly 180 square feet of glass, which is more than 22 times the licensing requirement.

Mark Boisclair

Within the community’s wellness program, residents have access to a fitness space with aerobic and equipment training, a juice and refreshment bar/lounge, and a full salon with hair styling and spa services. Additional amenities include a rooftop terrace with a fire pit and an outdoor living room, an outdoor dining terrace, and a second-level terrace featuring an exercise loop.

For meals, the chef-driven restaurant options include Great Falls restaurant, a formal environment with farm-to-table cuisine; Wolf Trap Bistro, for casual meals; and Wolf Trap Lounge, a full bar with a menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads.

Carefully designed to offer a variety of common areas and activity spaces, the indoors include an arts and crafts space, a lounge with games, and a technology suite and library. Watermark University provides programming with customizable courses allowing residents, family members, and associates to teach and take classes on subjects of interest. In the realm of technology, EngageVR is a unique virtual reality program for residents to utilize. The Oculus headset keeps the brain active as it offers educational and uplifting experiences.

The Providence was designed to reach a total energy cost savings of 26% over a comparable baseline building. These designs were achieved by improvements in insulation, lighting, mechanical systems, and windows.

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