Sunrise at the Shawhan

Sunrise at the Shawhan represents an adaptive reuse of a turn of the century hotel into an elegant Assisted Living Home. The structure, located in Tiffin, Ohio, was once a hub of activity in this rural county seat community, but had fallen into serious disrepair and was in jeopardy of being demolished. Approximately twelve years prior to the start of the restoration construction, a fire destroyed the roof structure and portions of the upper floors. Temporary repairs to the roof soon failed leaving the structure exposed to the elements while preservationists worked to find a new use for the rapidly deteriorating hotel.

The 54 unit assisted living adaptive reuse of the former hotel required replacement of approximately 25% of the floor structure that had deteriorated beyond use. Required revitalization was a new elevator, exit stairs, totally new interior walls, finishes, and building systems. Several dilapidated additions to the structure were demolished to allow daylight into the resident rooms, provide needed off street parking and a pavilion for both public and resident use. Little of the interior was in a condition to permit reuse in the finished facility. However, some of the lobby millwork was salvaged, repaired and reused in the ice cream parlor, private dining and main dining rooms. Additionally, marble from the original facility was re-cut and used for the new main stairway.

Exterior work on the project included replacement of the roof, windows, and deteriorated cornice. E.I.F.S. systems were utilized to replace the cornice and simulate decorative brickwork utilized in the original structure as a finish on the new building additions and for infill of abandoned storefronts.

Basement spaces in the structure were renovated to include new mechanical and electrical services, maintenance facilities, a new commercial kitchen and laundry. An at grade service entrance to the basement was provided in the design for operational efficiency. Also provided in the design of the basement are resident meeting and activity spaces, and storage for both resident and facility usage.

The first floor of the new assisted living home is redesigned to its previous elegance and includes a lobby/living room, administrative spaces, ice cream parlor and both private and main dining rooms. A new solarium is provided off of the main dining room for resident enjoyment and access to the new public pavilion. A secured eleven bed dementia area is provided on the first floor with access to a separate secure courtyard. This area also provides a separate dining room, solarium and activity space open to each end of the main corridor. High ceilings were used throughout to reflect the character of a home built during the era of the original structure. Residential details and features such as extensive use of wood moldings, raised panel doors, fireplaces and built-in casework are utilized to enhance the "home-like" character.

The second through fourth floors are designed for resident living units. Fifteen units are provided per floor with varying configurations to meet a wide range of resident desires and needs. Five units per floor are designed for two occupants. Studio, one-bedroom and two- bedroom unit configurations are available ranging in size from 275 square feet to 620 square feet. Units were designed to fit within building perimeter and transverse bearing wall constraints for optimal plan efficiency. Parlor spaces are placed at both ends of the major circulation route and at the center of the facility to enhance the residential character of the home. Daylight is provided for the center parlor through a new elevator lobby and library lounge to enhance the livability of the common areas and circulation route while still maximizing the number of units available and promote business efficiency.