Medical Mission Sisters

Location: Abington Township / Philadelphia County
Description: Master Plan of Property / Phase One Construction

Medical Mission Sisters (MMS) is an order of Catholic Nuns dedicated to the medical health and spiritual well-being of people around the world. In discussing goals for the development of their 69-acre property, the Sisters asked GKO Architects to create a Master Plan which would continue to support their mission. After considering many options, the Sisters elected to partner with a Development team, including a Real Estate Developer and GKO Architects, to plan and construct a mixed-use complex dedicated to caring and healing. This complex, which is currently being planned, may include a senior care facility, tax-credited housing, and a reconfigured Administrative Office and Residential Center for the Medical Mission Sisters Order. As requested by the Sisters, the Team is planning the overall development to be respectful of the beautiful landscape, natural resources, and the local community.

One of the design options being explored for the New MMS Administrative and Residential Center would have a program that includes: Administrative Offices, Chapel, Senior Day-Care LIFE Center, and a three-story residential apartment block for the Sisters with a Lower Level parking garage. This facility will overlook and anchor the adjacent MMS Memorial Garden.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Location: Englewood Cliffs, NJ
Description: Master Plan and Feasibility Study

CSJP is an Order of Sisters who own a beautiful 12.7 acre campus which overlooks the Hudson River.  The site’s location on top of a cliff provides a spectacular view of the New York City skyline.  In the RFP brief, the Sisters requested that GKO Architects prepare a Master Plan and Feasibility Study with several goals:

1. Prepare a Master Plan of the Site that would provide a transition of use, so that when the facilities are no longer needed by the Order, the campus and its buildings would continue to serve the needs of others, and carry on the work and legacy of CSJP. 

2. Study the potential of renovating one of the buildings on campus (or constructing a new facility) to accommodate the residential needs of the Sisters.

3. Assess the condition of the campus and all of its buildings.

4. Consider renewable energy sources and sustainable building design in the development of the campus.

After a thorough study and assessment of the campus and its buildings, research into the mission and goals of the Sisters, and collaborative work sessions with CSJP, a Master Plan was produced which over time would provide a transition of the campus from providing a home base for the Sisters to a Community based Senior Care Facility.

St. Michael Villa, which was built in 1938, is the main residential building on campus.  The attractive masonry building is a 50,000 square foot five-story structure with a walk-out basement.  After a thorough assessment study, Saint Michael Villa was identified for comprehensive renovation which would allow it to continue to serve the residential needs for CSJP. The preferred configuration of floor plans includes 20 new apartments for the Sisters, an apartment for the Chaplain, updated Chapel, Dining and Kitchen facilities, and new common areas for “socialization” of the Congregation of Sisters.  Planned renovations will include structural reinforcement of the building and a complete replacement of all building systems.  Renovating the existing Saint Michael Villa building, providing energy efficient building systems, and preserving the site’s natural resources were some of the sustainable design strategies employed in the Master Plan Concepts.

St. Mary’s Villa

Location: Ambler, PA
Description: Master Plan Study

The main goal of the Master Plan for St. Mary’s in Ambler, PA, was to create a walkable senior care residential community which would be connected to the Borough.  In working with a prospective developer of the historic property, GKO Architects proposed to save and repurpose the existing buildings while also constructing an array of new ones.  Many of the existing roads, which were original to the construction of the St. Mary’s Villa, were also retained and upgraded. The development proposed a combination of detached singles, large detailed singles, semi-detached carriage homes, Townhouses, Apartments, an Artist’s Collaborative facility, a Hotel, and a restaurant. In addition, the original gardens and man-made lake were retained and restored.