Akers Construction Services - Fieldstone Estates - Hawthorn Inn, Danville, Illinois

Fieldstone Estates/Hawthorn Inn -
Danville, Illinois

(Click on any of the photos to see a larger view)

Fieldstone Estates/Hawthorn Inn is unique in many ways. Although the developer typically builds sheltered care facilities and nursing homes as separate units, this time he chose a prototype that combines both in one building, with Fieldstone Estates as the nursing home portion of the building, Hawthorn Inn the assisted living facility. The two west wings, consisting of sixty beds, are designated as sheltered and Alzheimer care. The two east wings, consisting of thirty-six beds, are designated as skilled nursing home care. This allows couples to visit one another, even though they may be in different care areas, and provides for easier transfer to skilled care if needed.

The Main Entrance into the building is via a drive-under canopy and covered porch into the Front Vestibule. The front canopy shows how much the developer believes first impressions are important. You can see the elegance in the area from the decorative standing seam roof with cupola, rich wood trim and railing, and embellished paved drive with color and pattern.

The white storefront with window muntins gives the entrance a residential look. The doors are operated by automatic openers which sense a person's approach, allowing easy entrance and exit during the day. These doors can be locked at night even though the entrance is staffed full time to meet visitors.

The Main Vestibule is adorned with a grand chandelier, detailed wood trim, and brightly colored floral wall coverings. The entry area and hall are surrounded by the administration area which allows the staff to easily meet guests. The four wings of the facility are arranged to allow natural light into every living area.

The two main areas of the facility--skilled nursing care and sheltered care--are joined by an interior courtyard designed as a functional mall/city street. The floor of the "street" is laid with brick pavers. The Courtyard is surrounded with fully functioning storefronts, including a Beauty Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Lounge/Cafe, Gift Shop and Library. The storefronts are very carefully designed and constructed to give the Courtyard an early 1900's feel. Special details in this area include rounded ceiling corners to accentuate the blue clouded ceiling, ornate woodwork and columns, and street style benches.

While we were photographing the building, an elderly gentleman saw our camera, did a little jig, and posed for his photograph in the center of the Courtyard. We asked him if Hawthorn Inn was a nice place to live. He responded that, though he would rather be home on the farm, it was a very nice place to live.

The nature of this building required sophisticated electrical, fire alarm, nurse call, HVAC, plumbing, and sprinkler systems. Housing sheltered care and skilled nursing care in the same facility required additional fire separation walls and systems. With these requirements, we worked closely with several state agencies to ensure the facility would meet final state inspections. Our team approach to working with all state officials allowed us to achieve occupancy in a short amount of time, and we received compliments from several of the state officials.

We started construction during the winter months with the sheltered and nursing care wings first. We enclosed these wings as construction proceeded in order to keep the project in the dry and to allow more trades to work at an early date. Using panelized wood framing kept the project moving expeditiously. We shelled in the Courtyard/Mall and Main Entrance in the last stage of framing, tying all wings together. The developer completed the last touches of the City Street/Mall concept during the last third of the project duration, but with many long days and special arrangements for transportation of decorative materials and items, we completed the City Street/Mall design in line with the remainder of construction.

The project incorporated various construction materials, from wood framing, structural steel, metal building roofing, commercial kitchen, and sun rooms, to specialized nursing equipment.

Management and field workers cooperated with other tradesmen to keep the project site safe and accident free. Akers CS includes in the specifications safety procedures to be followed by other trades and subcontractors. All new Akers CS employees are to complete rigorous safety orientation before beginning work, regardless of previous experience or training. Employees are to study the company safety manual covering safety guidelines for all construction areas, including correct erection and maintenance of scaffolding; fall protection; hazard communication; first aid; and use of personal protection equipment. The jobsite superintendent is to conduct a review determine the level of comprehension, with review of any areas where understanding is lacking, with a demonstration of the use of personal protective equipment and instruction in safety procedures peculiar to the jobsite.

All subcontractors and tradesmen, employed by Akers CS or by others, were encouraged to take part in Akers CS ' training program. Safety data sheets from each subcontractor were submitted for incorporation into the training program before the contractor was allowed to begin work. A substantial library of Tool Box Safety Talks was available at the site for immediate information and safety awareness any time a new procedure or hazard was introduced. Additional tapes and training materials were available from the home office for use if the superintendent or project manager deemed it necessary. Home office personnel visiting the site on a regular basis were required to conduct safety inspections of both Akers CS conditions and of procedures observed in other trades. Safety concerns were a regular agenda item at all progress meetings.

Akers Construction Services completed the excavation, concrete foundations, wood blocking and miscellaneous framing, soffit and fascia work, canopy trim and exterior trim work, and specialty items with our own people. Even though Danville is a strong union city, we hired the following non-union subcontractors:

	Jay's Termite Co.		Architectural Iron Works
	Permabilt Panel Construction		Owen Tucker Carpentry
	Artesian Custom Cabinets		L.C. Cassidy-Gale Insulation
	Guttermaker		Ryan Kumber Construction
	Riggs Drywall		Illiana Tile Co.
	Patio Enclosures		Fire Pro Corporation
	plus several suppliers

We are currently working with another assisted living developer who has visited Fieldstone Estates/Hawthorn Inn, evidence that this may set the standard for future similar facilities.