Element Care PACE Center and Headquarters

MASS has partnered with Element Care to redevelop the south building of the former Union Hospital into a PACE Center (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). The space will provide comprehensive clinical and social services to older adults with an aim to consider the wellbeing of the community holistically and look at its social determinants. It will also serve as the new headquarters for Element Care. 

Lynn has been a center of COVID-19 in Massachusetts throughout the pandemic, and has historically faced higher rates of infectious disease, mental health, and substance use conditions than the state average. The retrofit responds to these challenges and creates a welcoming and safe space that empowers participants to grow in community, providing caring, living, and working areas to support both older adults and Element Care’s staff. The design interprets the three programs as a single ecosystem and highlights thresholds as an opportunity for engagement and collaboration. Trauma-informed design strategies are implemented to enhance participants’ physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. 

The building shares a site and will be connected to 2Life’s Solimine House, a 150-unit senior social housing community designed by MASS and that promotes healthy living.