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Marys Wood Health Center entrance at night ©Mithun © Mithun

Mary’s Woods

Transforming an historic convent property into a thriving retirement community

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Mary’s Woods

Overview

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary needed to find a way to support and nurture their retired Sisters. They took the bold step of creating a nondenominational retirement community using their historic provincial house as the heart of the development with the following goals in mind:

  • Celebrate the history of the site, the buildings and the religious order
  • Maintain the site’s serenity and botanical beauty
  • Create an environment promoting residents’ wellness of mind, body and spirit
  • Strengthen connections to the surrounding community and neighboring university

The historic Provincial House is the heart of the development, renovated as the new Commons Building. The architectural style of the Provincial House acts as a "DNA" for all other buildings, which are oriented towards it. All independent apartment buildings, the wellness center and Marie Rose (health care) center connect to the Commons Building. Each building’s plan is shaped by how it defines courtyards and saves significant heritage trees.

Awards

  • 2001 Winner, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design for Aging Review
  • 2003 Publication—Design 2003 Nursing Homes Magazine
  • 2003 Order of Excellence Design Award in Best Practices—Contemporary Long Term Care Magazine

Specifications

  • Client: Mary's Woods at Marylhurst, Inc.
  • Completion: 2001
  • Size: 75 acres, 33 cottages, 238 independent living units, 40 assisted living units, 22 Alzheimer's units, 23 skilled nursing beds
  • Location: Lake Oswego, OR