AEGIS GARDENS NEWCASTLE
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Newcastle, Washington
89 Assisted Living units
21 Memory Care Units
128,512 sq. ft
Completed in 2018
Work done while at Ankrom Moisan Architects
Project role: Interior Designer
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Aegis Gardens fuses cultural heritage with compassionate care, celebrating Washington state's largest Chinese American community. This senior living destination blends Eastern and Western traditions, fostering an environment of respect, comfort, and connection for all generations. Designed with resort-style amenities, Aegis Gardens honors the values of beauty, symbolism, and deep respect for seniors. The community features 89 assisted living and 21 memory care units, offering cozy studios and spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments—more than just a home, but a sanctuary. Inspired by traditional Chinese villages, the entrance is guarded by two majestic lion statues, welcoming residents with a sense of protection and serenity.
Feng shui principles guide the placement of key elements like the entryway, staircases, and dining areas, creating a calm, balanced environment that reflects the natural flow of energy. From the first sketch to the final building, the design team meticulously crafted every detail to bring nature indoors. Expansive glass walls invite natural light, reducing reliance on artificial illumination, while large, open spaces and biophilic elements like glulam curtain walls and stunning stone, tile, and marble finishes soothe the soul.
Inside, public spaces showcase authentic Chinese art and antiques, including ceremonial tea rooms, mahjong tables, a Tai Chi studio, and an arts room for flower arranging, calligraphy, and painting. Additional amenities include a theater, community dining rooms with a wood-fired duck oven, and a wellness suite offering a salon, massage and acupuncture rooms, and a saltwater therapy pool. The grounds feature a peaceful garden courtyard for reflection and an outdoor amphitheater for community events. The adjacent multicultural center hosts exhibitions, performances, family celebrations, and weddings.
Aegis Gardens is more than a place to live—it’s a thriving extended community. Through a partnership with the University of Washington medical program, residents enjoy primary care right at home. The community also serves as a cultural hub, housing a dynamic multicultural center and a bilingual, intergenerational preschool. Aegis Gardens is the first of its kind to blend these elements, creating a unique, enriching space where seniors, families, and the broader community can connect and grow together.
Designed as the heart of Chinese life in the Northwest, Aegis Gardens Newcastle is more than a senior living community—it’s a living, breathing celebration of culture, nature, and community, setting the gold standard for future communities.
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