Dogwood Care Home

Project Strategy

Dogwood Care Home: Flooring Installation Designed for Comfort and Functionality

The flooring installation at Dogwood Care Home in Vancouver, located off Paulson Street, was a project that demanded a combination of technical precision, thoughtful design, and adaptability. As a care facility, the floors not only had to meet strict durability and safety requirements but also contribute to an environment that fosters comfort, accessibility, and warmth for its residents and staff.

Design Vision: A Foundation for Care
The design team envisioned a flooring solution that balanced practicality with aesthetic appeal. The goal was to create a homelike atmosphere while ensuring the floors could handle the rigorous demands of a care facility, including high foot traffic, the use of mobility aids, and frequent cleaning. Flooring materials were selected to offer a soft, non-intrusive look that complemented the overall design of the care home while prioritizing safety and ease of maintenance.

For reference, The Dogwood Lodge is a much-needed 150-bed long-term care home and is based on a model that is like a traditional home.
Each storey consists of a “neighbourhood” of two homes where residents with similar care needs have their own private bedrooms and bathrooms. They share living, dining, kitchen, patio and social spaces. Each home, which can accommodate 14 people, is bright, inviting and in close proximity to staff and other supports.
With the ageing population growing and the government’s commitment to improving support and access to long-term care for seniors, this new six-storey, 150-bed care home is a welcomed development to Vancouver’s healthcare community. The facility will also include two “homes” that are specialized. (Elements similar to Nelson care and CHC development respectively)

Of note for the specialized homes:
1. One will care for individuals with dementia
2. The other will care for people with tracheotomy and/or ventilator needs.

This project is targeting LEED® Gold Certification.

The Dogwood Lodge acts also as a:
• Long term and complex residential care facility
• A joint entity for multiple stakeholders and user groups
• A Government entity for key stakeholders including Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) as the client
• An example of a modern, therapeutic, and nurturing environment
• An example of public and city consultation
• A high quality and inviting community space

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy highlighted below.

Why It Stands Out
The flooring installation at Dogwood Care Home is a benchmark for excellence in care facility construction. By combining thoughtful material selection with precise execution, the team delivered a solution that supports safety, comfort, and accessibility while enhancing the facility’s overall aesthetic.

The new Dogwood Care Home when opened was a tricky feat. Firstly with moving in residents from the older,
existing facility, followed by welcoming new residents. Dogwood Care Home was developed in collaboration with the
Dogwood Family Council and the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee. It reflects best practices for neighbourhood
models and priorities for access to outdoor spaces, private rooms, small homes and in-home dining.

One of the highlights of the project is of course, the "Sacred Room". Through spiritual care and multifaith services, spiritual care
practitioners help people address the profound thoughts and feelings that can poignantly arise at times of significant illness or
trauma. Installing the full "Sacred Room", in-floor customer native logo by hand was a memorable highlight. Words cannot
describe it. In this case, the photos say it all.

This project highlights the critical role that expert flooring installation plays in creating spaces that are both functional and welcoming. Dogwood Care Home now stands as a model for how flooring can elevate the quality of life for its residents and support the caregivers who serve them.

Installer notes: Unique strategy
-Number of accents were meticulously cut by hand, inlaid and seamed together. Insets were computer jet cut and assembled by hand for installation.
-Took a lot of skill because it needed to be right sized to the room (First Nations)
-This install was less of a puzzle that had to be put together, but rather had to be laid backwards. The architectural design is transferred to a template on the floor by tracing. Once traced, the pre-cut matching inset pieces are matched and installed to complete the template in flooring material. Once the template inset pieces are completed the field flooring is installed and the seaming to create an infectious control barrier is completed.

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy

Challenges of the Dogwood Jobsite

The Dogwood Care Home posed unique challenges for the installation team:

Acoustic Requirements:
Noise reduction was a key priority in this care facility to promote a calm and restful environment. The flooring system needed to include materials and underlayment that minimized sound transmission.
Safety Standards:
Ensuring slip resistance was critical in areas prone to spills or high moisture levels, such as dining rooms, bathrooms, and common areas.
Resident Accessibility:
Transitions between different flooring types had to be seamless to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids without creating tripping hazards.
Occupied Facility:
As an operational care home, the installation required careful planning and phasing to minimize disruption to residents and staff.

Technical Expertise and Solutions
The Maxwell Floors INSTALL team from Local 1541, overcame these challenges with innovative techniques and a focus on quality:

Acoustic Flooring Systems:
Specialized underlayment and sound-absorbing materials were incorporated to reduce noise, creating a quieter and more peaceful environment.
Moisture Control:
Advanced moisture mitigation systems were applied in areas exposed to high humidity and frequent cleaning.
Precision Transitions:
Seamless transitions were achieved between flooring types, ensuring a smooth and safe surface across all areas of the facility.
Phased Installation:
The project was executed in phases, allowing sections of the care home to remain operational and ensuring the safety and comfort of residents during the installation process.

Sustainability and Health
The materials used were selected with sustainability and indoor air quality in mind. Low-VOC adhesives and finishes ensured the project met environmental standards while prioritizing the health and well-being of residents and staff. Durable, easy-to-clean materials were chosen to reduce long-term maintenance and extend the lifespan of the floors.

Collaboration Across Teams
Close collaboration between the design team, contractors, and care home management was essential to the project’s success. Regular communication ensured that the flooring not only aligned with the design vision but also met the specific operational needs of the facility.

Why It Stands Out
The flooring installation at Dogwood Care Home is a benchmark for excellence in care facility construction. By combining thoughtful material selection with precise execution, the team delivered a solution that supports safety, comfort, and accessibility while enhancing the facility’s overall aesthetic.

The new Dogwood Care Home when opened was tricky feat. Firstly with moving in residents from the older,
existing facility, followed by welcoming new residents. Dogwood Care Home was developed in collaboration with the
Dogwood Family Council and the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee. It reflects best practices for neighbourhood
models and priorities for access to outdoor spaces, private rooms, small homes and in-home dining.

One of the highlights of the project is of course, the "Sacred Room". Through spiritual care and multifaith services, spiritual care
practitioners help people address the profound thoughts and feelings that can poignantly arise at times of significant illness or
trauma. Installing the full "Sacred Room", in-floor customer native logo by hand was a memorable highlight. Words cannot
describe it. In this case, the photos say it all.

This project highlights the critical role that expert flooring installation plays in creating spaces that are both functional and welcoming. Dogwood Care Home now stands as a model for how flooring can elevate the quality of life for its residents and support the caregivers who serve them.


Installer notes: Unique strategy
-Number of accents were meticulously cut by hand, inlaid and seamed together. Insets were computer jet cut and assembled by hand for installation.
-Took a lot of skill because it needed to be right sized to the room (First Nations)
-This install was less of a puzzle that had to be put together, but rather had to be laid backwards. The architectural design is transferred to a template on the floor by tracing. Once traced, the pre-cut matching inset pieces are matched and installed to complete the template in flooring material. Once the template inset pieces are completed the field flooring is installed and the seaming to create an infectious control barrier is completed.