Abe's Garden Alzheimer's and Memory Care Center Named Urban Land Institute Honoree

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Abe's Garden, a newly opened Alzheimer's and Memory Care Center of Excellence, has received an Excellence in Development Award from the Urban Land Institute, an organization that encourages the responsible use of land in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.

Each year, the Urban Land Institute's Nashville District Council recognizes projects for excellence in land use, design and construction. Awards are presented for Middle Tennessee projects that support the Institute's commitment to utilizing best practices in the use of land/real estate and are exemplary examples of design and development, sustainability, financial viability and commitment to community.

"From the very start, we knew we wanted to create a community that in every aspect, including specially designed lighting, security and furnishings, would improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias," said Abe's Garden CEO Andrew B. Sandler, Ph.D. "Utilizing best practices and with an approach emphasizing environmental sustainability, our Alzheimer's and Memory Care Center of Excellence absolutely reflects that vision."

Abe's Garden implemented energy efficient, sustainable building strategies throughout project development and program implementation. Sustainable features include: geothermal heating, natural light and day lighting, use of regional materials, utilization of building products containing recycled materials, native plants and vegetation, recycling of construction materials, use of low- or non-emitting products, ENERGY STAR appliances and energy usage reduction, and operable windows.

"The development and design of this project supports the unique programming Abe's Garden provides its residents, which is helping to transform dementia care," said Brian Leary, judge of the Urban Land Institute Nashville's Excellence in Development Awards and president of Crescent Communities. "This project excels in all best practices in the use of land to address an important societal need."

The Abe's Garden development team consisted of Manuel Zeitlin Architects; Skanska USA Building Inc.; Hawkins Partners Inc.; Barge Cauthen & Associates; SunTrust Bank; EMC Structural Engineers PC; Genesis Engineering Group LLC; Perkins Eastman; and RPM Transportation Consultants LLC.

For more information on Abe's Garden, click here to view a video.

About Abe's Garden

Abe's Garden, a 501(c)3 organization, is the first memory care community in the United States dedicated to providing and elevating the quality of care for those with Alzheimer's.  Abe's Garden is committed to transforming the care of those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia by establishing a national model of residential living and day/evening care programs for those suffering from the disease. The Abe's Garden Memory Care Campus includes residential assisted living, skilled nursing care, hospice respite care and a day care program.

About Urban Land Institute Nashville District Council

The Urban Land Institute's Nashville District Council focuses on Middle Tennessee's public, private, educational and nonprofit real estate and land-use community. It has a membership of more than 400 urban planners, architects, engineers, financial institutions, developers, real estate agents, public officials, academicians and attorneys.

SOURCE Abe's Garden