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A home away from home that provides a safe, comfortable, and supporting environment that honors and supports our veterans.
Description
The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing Home delivers both skilled nursing care and rehabilitation in a facility designed to feel residential. The design concept is based on the VA Community Living Center components that support a well-being community for our veterans, staff, and caregivers by incorporating the "Eden" design philosophy to create a positive impact through thoughtful and intentional design choices.
The 110,500 SF single-story facility accommodates 120 Florida veterans in two distinct "neighborhoods," each consisting of three wings with 20 residents per wing. Residents primarily stay in semi-private, ADA-enhanced rooms, equipped with an overhead lift track system for easy transportation and full-height privacy walls for personal space. Each household features a large dining room, a country kitchen, a covered screen porch, and an outdoor walking garden. The three wings converge at a central area offering additional public spaces and shared functions.
The main building, called the "Heroes Center,"serves as a comfort and care hub, housing the main lobby, admissions, physical therapy services, a cafe, kitchen, chapel, and dining facilities. The surrounding conservation areas provide a serene backdrop, enhancing the peaceful environment for residents.
The nursing home was named in honor of 19-year-old Fort Pierce resident and machine gunner Ardie Copas, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1970 protecting four wounded men while they escaped from enemy fire in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
The home achieved LEED Silver certification. Sustainable design strategies include:
- Sustainable Sites - alternative transportation, site development, stormwater design, heat island effect for the roof, bike racks
- Water Efficiency - water use reduction, water efficient landscape design
- Energy and Atmosphere - energy model achieved 53% under ASHRAE baseline, commissioning program
- Materials and Resources - storage and collection of recyclables, construction waste management program
- Indoor Environmental Quality - lighting, thermal comfort, daylighting
- Innovation & Design Process - LEED APs on team, direct exterior access, green cleaning, places of respite
The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing Home delivers both skilled nursing care and rehabilitation in a facility designed to feel residential. The design concept is based on the VA Community Living Center components that support a well-being community for our veterans, staff, and caregivers by incorporating the "Eden" design philosophy to create a positive impact through thoughtful and intentional design choices.
The 110,500 SF single-story facility accommodates 120 Florida veterans in two distinct "neighborhoods," each consisting of three wings with 20 residents per wing. Residents primarily stay in semi-private, ADA-enhanced rooms, equipped with an overhead lift track system for easy transportation and full-height privacy walls for personal space. Each household features a large dining room, a country kitchen, a covered screen porch, and an outdoor walking garden. The three wings converge at a central area offering additional public spaces and shared functions.
The main building, called the "Heroes Center,"serves as a comfort and care hub, housing the main lobby, admissions, physical therapy services, a cafe, kitchen, chapel, and dining facilities. The surrounding conservation areas provide a serene backdrop, enhancing the peaceful environment for residents.
The nursing home was named in honor of 19-year-old Fort Pierce resident and machine gunner Ardie Copas, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1970 protecting four wounded men while they escaped from enemy fire in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
The home achieved LEED Silver certification. Sustainable design strategies include:
- Sustainable Sites - alternative transportation, site development, stormwater design, heat island effect for the roof, bike racks
- Water Efficiency - water use reduction, water efficient landscape design
- Energy and Atmosphere - energy model achieved 53% under ASHRAE baseline, commissioning program
- Materials and Resources - storage and collection of recyclables, construction waste management program
- Indoor Environmental Quality - lighting, thermal comfort, daylighting
- Innovation & Design Process - LEED APs on team, direct exterior access, green cleaning, places of respite
The RLF solution was designed following FDVA's adopted goals and objectives and sets a new standard for future State Veterans' Nursing Homes. The project has been acknowledged for its excellence by ENR Southeast, receiving the prestigious 2022 Best Project, Government/Public Building Award.
Description
The Ardie R. Copas State Veterans' Nursing Home delivers both skilled nursing care and rehabilitation in a facility designed to feel residential. The design concept is based on the VA Community Living Center components that support a well-being community for our veterans, staff, and caregivers by incorporating the "Eden" design philosophy to create a positive impact through thoughtful and intentional design choices.
The 110,500 SF single-story facility accommodates 120 Florida veterans in two distinct "neighborhoods," each consisting of three wings with 20 residents per wing. Residents primarily stay in semi-private, ADA-enhanced rooms, equipped with an overhead lift track system for easy transportation and full-height privacy walls for personal space. Each household features a large dining room, a country kitchen, a covered screen porch, and an outdoor walking garden. The three wings converge at a central area offering additional public spaces and shared functions.
The main building, called the "Heroes Center,"serves as a comfort and care hub, housing the main lobby, admissions, physical therapy services, a cafe, kitchen, chapel, and dining facilities. The surrounding conservation areas provide a serene backdrop, enhancing the peaceful environment for residents.
The nursing home was named in honor of 19-year-old Fort Pierce resident and machine gunner Ardie Copas, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1970 protecting four wounded men while they escaped from enemy fire in Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
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