Expanding Senior Living for Modern Care
For more than a century, The Danish Home of Chicago has served older adults with care rooted in Scandinavian tradition, emphasizing dignity, choice, and community. Licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health as a Skilled Nursing and Sheltered Care facility, the “boutique senior community” faced the need to update its facilities for the next generation of residents while preserving its unique cultural identity. HED guided the organization through an interactive planning and visioning process, resulting in a phased design solution that balances tradition with modern expectations for senior living.
This expansion added 15 new units: 5 sheltered care and 10 skilled nursing. These additions broaden the spectrum of care available, giving residents more choices and supporting continuity of living as needs change. Each level of the new building is organized to reflect the specific needs and rhythms of its residents, offering a more personalized and supportive environment for care.
A stunning series of light-filled corner rooms extend outward into the surrounding landscape. With floor-to-ceiling windows, these spaces open to sweeping views of the gardens and grounds, bringing daylight deep into the building and strengthening residents’ connection to nature.
On the upper levels, these glass-wrapped social rooms are affectionately referred to by residents as “the Tree House,” a favorite gathering space where residents can relax among the treetops and enjoy the changing seasons from above. The design’s emphasis on light, warmth, and visual connection creates a welcoming retreat that encourages interaction and restores a sense of peace and belonging.
New amenity spaces with dining areas, a commercial kitchen, bistro, lounge, and activity rooms to further enhance the community experience. These spaces encourage movement, conversation, and shared activity, reflecting the Danish Home’s focus on social well-being and quality of life.
Throughout the design process, HED maintained a strong focus on continuity, honoring the home’s cultural legacy while positioning it for the future. The expansion strengthens the Danish Home’s ability to provide compassionate, individualized care in a setting that celebrates community and connection to the outdoors.
This sensitive, forward-looking design reaffirms The Danish Home’s enduring mission: to provide high-quality care grounded in heritage, while evolving thoughtfully to meet the needs residents and their caregivers.
