Dunham House, Combat Wounded Care Residence

HDR Architecture

Recognitions: 2020 Central States Region Awards (Unbuilt)

Project Description

Dunham House has a mission to provide long term care for combat wounded veterans with spinal cord and/or moderate to severe brain injuries in order for them to enjoy a high quality of life with exceptional care. Many of our combat wounded veterans with these injuries require daily assistance or are completely dependent on caregivers. Most single wounded veterans are cared for by their aging parents. “It’s not a retirement home, but a residence that facilitates collaborative meaningful activities that engage and boost morale” – Col. John Folsom, USMCR (Retired) Dunham House was conceived as a campus of low slung simple housing forms that stretch across the rolling hills of rural eastern Nebraska – just outside of Omaha. Each home will have 10 veterans and a resident care giver – designed using the VA’s small home model. The homes are designed with resiliency and sustainability in mind, with the mass timber structure and wood exterior cladding. The large overhangs shade the glass as well as connect to form outdoor rooms on the campus – extending the living space to the outdoors. Ribbon windows wrap the east and west facades, which are shaded by vertical wood louvers, also thermally modified Ash. The courtyard side opens up to the more “public” side of the homes with full height curtainwall glazing, shaded by the roof overhang.