Ditmas Park Rehab and Care Center

Brooklyn, New York

The Ditmas Park Rehab and Care Center in Brooklyn is a 6-story 201-bed, full-service, short-term rehabilitation nursing home constructed in 1975. Our firm developed a master plan program and design for an all-encompassing, building-wide major modernization, including: new 20-bed each ventilator-dependent units for adults and pediatric residents, a new 21-bed adult respiratory step-down unit, a new 21-patient renal dialysis center, and improvements to the overall public and resident rooms and all other support and activity / dining spaces. These include a new 4,000 sf outdoor green roof terrace and a new 2,500 sf physical therapy rehab center. In total, the project comprises 45,000 sf of new construction and 65,000 sf of renovated existing space at an estimated construction cost of $40 million.

The design concentrated on a fundamental desire to bring natural light into the facility and integrate activity spaces into each other and major circulation routes. The connection between the new front and back glass, six-story day rooms and activity areas traverses the main resident unit corridor, integrating the entire building horizontally on each floor and on the exterior, as a vertical beacon and entrance to the entire neighborhood.

A new three story addition in the rear allows for the green roof—a serene respite for residents, families, and staff. Additional six story additions are added to the east and west sides of the building, increasing program and beds. An entirely new exterior skin with larger windows was designed for all facades.