Opening in fall 2021, Trinity Woods is an intergenerational housing community on the campus of Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. The project is the result of a partnership between Mount Mary University; the School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province; and Milwaukee Catholic Home, a continuing care retirement community, to provide housing for the aging sisters as well as other members of the community. The name Trinity Woods is a reference to the adjacent, 10-acre woods, the Catholic faith’s holy trinity, and the partnership between the three organizations.
Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP (Milwaukee) was brought on to lead design efforts for the 258,000-square-foot community that will house 52 assisted living units, 90 one- and two-bedroom independent living units, and 24 private family units for undergraduate single mothers attending the university. Approximately 100 sisters from the School Sisters of Notre Dame campus and greater community plan to move in.
Exterior design elements of the community will reflect the collegiate gothic style of the original 1913 Mount Mary University Campus. Steep gabled roofs with parapets are complimented by a material palette that includes extensive stone, siding, and trim in warm gray tones to tie in with the existing campus. A traditional Mount Mary University red roof completes the composition.
The interior design features a palette of wood, limestone, blue, and metal accents to achieve warmth. In key public spaces, such as the chapel and the dining room, artwork, stained glass, and sculptures from the former Sisters campus are incorporated into the design to preserve that history.
Trinity Woods is conceived to encourage serendipitous and supportive interactions of all occupants. Amenity spaces such as the bistro, chapel, art room, library, clinic, fitness center, beauty shop, and outdoor areas and trails are intended to be shared by all. The community also features an early childhood development facility for up to 100 children.
Project details:
Facility name: Trinity Woods at Mount Mary University
Location: Milwaukee
Expected completion date: October 2021
Owner: School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mount Mary University, Milwaukee Catholic Home (joint venture)
Owner’s rep: Senior Housing Partners
Total building area: 258,000 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $36 million
Cost/sq. ft.: $140/sq. ft.
Architecture firm: Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP
Interior design: Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP
General contractor: VJS Construction
Engineering: RaSmith Inc. (civil, landscape, and structural)
Food service: Boelter
