When the Sisters of St. Joseph determined to build a new, state-of-the-art motherhouse and assisted living center, they selected Erdman Anthony to provide all structural, mechanical, fire protection, and electrical design components. The Erdman Anthony team was involved from the earliest stages of the project, assisting with the site selection process to find a location that provided the client with a high level of visibility and community access. Once the site was selected, Erdman Anthony coordinated with several subconsultants to design an attractive, cost-effective, functional facility that incorporated the aesthetic qualities of the existing motherhouse with up-to-date amenities.
The new 130,000 sq ft. facility included a wing with independent living apartments for about seventy people and up to forty assisted living residents, a wing with skilled nursing care for up to forty elderly nuns and priests, and a common area with a public chapel, library, and offices. Erdman Anthony was able to accommodate the Sisters' request for quiet systems throughout the facility by installing a heat pump system with oversized, acoustically lined ductwork that minimized noise. In addition, our team worked closely with local authorities to design the fire detection and suppression and nurse call systems with increased requirements to ensure high life safety standards for residents.
Erdman Anthony's energy efficient design qualified for NYSERDA incentives and reduces maintenance bills, enabling the Sisters to focus more resources on expanding and enhancing their ministries. Our ability to work successfully on an expedited schedule and respond to the client's unique needs helped create a modern facility that will complement the Sisters' positive impact on the community. The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York recognized Erdman Anthony's effort on this project with a Gold Award for Engineering Excellence.