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Building Description What a beauty! 
Fremont Oak Gardens is a fifty one unit complex on two acres located behind St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on Driscoll Road, in Fremont, CA. This affordable senior housing development is designed to meet the physical and social needs of seniors, and includes additional design features specifically for residents who are deaf. This proposed senior complex is the only housing development with extensive design features oriented for the deaf in the Bay Area region and northern California. The two-acre site has been subdivided from a four-acre site owned by St. Anne’s Church. There are single-family homes to the northeast and a small church to the south, railroad tracks along the western boundary, and St. Anne’s Church on the east. The building complex consists of one primary building that surrounds the courtyards with two buildings in the center of the complex, creating smaller intimate courtyard spaces. The smaller “residential” courtyards emphasize greenery, landscaping and gardens, and provide for activities for smaller residential groups, while the “community courtyard” has a greater paved area allowing for larger group gatherings. Interconnected by covered walks, the layout provides the convenience of a single building with the variety and appearance of multiple structures. In addition, the building plan is organized to provide an essentially flat circulation spine from the center of the parking area to the community building and front drop-off. The flat site extends into the two residential courtyards providing extremely easy walking and wheelchair access throughout the complex. With a height of 28 feet, Fremont Oak Gardens is a two-story development that fits within the surrounding residential neighborhood and consists of 50 one bedroom and one two bedroom manager’s unit. The unit layouts are specifically designed to provide clear sight lines throughout their living spaces. Dining nooks and living room areas, with eat-in kitchens, allow residents to look out into the courtyards from within the living units. Each of the kitchens and baths are handicapped adaptable except for three fully handicapped units that have roll in showers. Tub/showers for all of the units have grab bars for ease of use by the senior residents. Located at the circular drop off, the community building of Fremont Oak Gardens provides the “front door” for the elderly residents. Totaling 3,600 square feet, the community building has a reception and office area for management and a larger living room space for everyday residence congregation and activities. This area is connected to the community laundry area as well as a small meeting room, with computer capabilities for the entire resident community and focusing the community activities in one primary location. The living room area is highlighted by a fireplace and looks out on both the circular drop off and the community courtyard providing interest and informal security. A large community room space adjacent to the living room area is provided for special events and activities and is planned to seat approximately 100 residents and friends. Fremont Oak Gardens has many special features to assist the senior community, serving residents who are very independent to those with growing frailty. These features also assist the elderly who are disabled. Entryways, walkways and hallways in the common areas, doorways and paths of access to and within the housing units allow access by wheelchair-bound residents. Walkways and hallways in the common areas are equipped with standard height railings or grab bars to assist people who have difficulty walking. Walkways and hallways have clear lighting to assist people who have difficulty with vision. All doors have lever handles for easy grip by the elderly and disabled. Bathroom doors open outward so that people in wheelchairs can enter the bathroom fully and close the door from the inside. Trash collection and recycling areas require a minimum of physical exertion by the residents. The front circular drop off has a continuous covered walk, allowing safe, convenient and protected drop-offs and pickups at the complex entry. Double aspect units allow for through ventilation, minimizing mechanical cooling requirements. Courtyard walks and deep overhangs shade windows and seating areas minimize mechanical cooling needs and provide shaded outdoor areas. Additional design features and amenities address the needs of deaf seniors, as well as provide for a light, spacious and open design feel for all residents. Many seniors become hard of hearing as they age, and in this community they will be able to take advantage of many of the assistance features. These include: An elevator with windows to allow signing in case of a malfunction. Strobes throughout the complex for doorbell and fire alarm systems. Video camera/TTY entrance technology. TTY and Internet communication lines for communication. A building layout and site design that provides sight lines for visual communication. Interior unit layouts with visual connections to interior living areas and exterior courtyards. Finally, Fremont Oak Garden’s extensive supportive service plan will unfold in the large community spaces and office area that is part of the building design. Through access to direct support services on-site, seniors will be able to age in place with dignity. |
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