Willow Valley Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Care Center.
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Approach
At Willow Valley’s Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center in Lancaster County, landscape shapes the experience of home and community. Working with EGA and NORD Architects, we designed the exterior and interior landscapes as a connected environment for people living with dementia. Inspired by the dementia-village movement, the project brings familiar surroundings and everyday activities into a secure setting that supports personal choice, dignity, and continuity of daily life.
On Daily Life.
Our landscape design extends from the gardens into an indoor “main street,” where planting and places to pause complement familiar destinations for dining, shopping, and meeting friends. These connected spaces support community life throughout the year, balancing social encounters with quieter routines. Nature becomes part of the daily experience, both indoors and out.
Contextual Familiarity
A greenhouse and working gardens invite residents to maintain familiar activities and engage with the seasons. Outdoor dining and living areas provide settings for time with family and neighbors, while a wellness center within the garden connects movement and restorative activities with nature. Rooted in Lancaster County’s verdant character, the landscape offers close contact with planting, water, and changing light, creating meaningful destinations alongside the simple pleasure of being outdoors.
Challenge of Circulation
Continuous garden paths loop back to familiar starting points, reducing dead ends and supporting orientation. Distinct garden spaces offer recognizable landmarks and opportunities to pause, gather, or take a quieter route. This network encourages exploration while helping residents find their way back. Throughout the project, landscape supports independence and connection through the ordinary experiences that make a place feel like home.