Situated 75 miles northwest of Atlanta on the world’s largest college campus is the newly completed Amber Grace Community at Berry College, a close-knit collection of eight residences created for up to 48 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Designed by Cooper Carry based on a preliminary concept by Reach Architects, the 10-acre, master-planned community provides a welcoming and enriching space for adults with intellectual disabilities to live in a supportive environment that enhances independence, fosters a sense of belonging and provides vocational and life skills.

“The IDD community is one of the most underserved populations, and there is a lack of social infrastructure that supports these individuals and allows them to establish meaningful connections with others,” said Tim Fish, principal at Cooper Carry. “With Amber Grace, the end goal was to design an engaging and authentic built environment where human bonds are fostered and encouraged. By emulating an interwoven neighborhood experience, the community empowers residents to take charge of their independence and live life abundantly.”

Amber Grace is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by David and Debbie Turner, who are parents of an adult daughter with Down Syndrome. They founded the Amber Grace Community at Berry College after recognizing the urgent need for post-secondary school programs and services for adults with intellectual disabilities that offer a sense of belonging and agency, as well as allow them to be contributors to their community. Cooper Carry was tapped to provide architecture, interior design and environmental graphic design services for the community, working alongside program manager Gleeds America and Choate Construction to realize the vision for Amber Grace.

The community is positioned around a village green, which serves as a vibrant hub that encourages walkability and social interaction. The community pathways, much like residential streets, connect all parts of Amber Grace, making it easy for residents to feel connected and part of something bigger. The pedestrian paths, which can be traversed by golf cart, lead to eight homes where groups of people live together. The homes are paired to create shared courtyards that allow residents to spark connections among each other. The homes can accommodate up to 48 residents.

Each home includes six individual neighbor apartment homes. All residents have their own apartment or room and are paired with a Support Family who offer guidance and helpful reinforcement. The interior aesthetic varies by home, but is ultimately designed to reflect a peaceful, restorative environment with muted tones, soft textures and natural materials that are sensorily appropriate. The community’s intent is that neighbors will age in place, forming a strong social network that will last a lifetime.

“This was a heartfelt effort from every partner involved, with Cooper Carry showcasing a genuine desire to design a community that we hope will serve as a blueprint for other programs supporting adults with intellectual disabilities,” said Debbie Turner, co-founder of Amber Grace Community at Berry College. “We are intimately aware of the fears that can arise when parents of these adults get older and become increasingly concerned for their children’s future once they are gone. Amber Grace aims to put this anxiety at bay, allowing parents to rest in the knowledge that there will be a safe place for their children to lead self-sufficient, full lifestyles with all the support they need.”

Amber Grace is anchored by the community center, which is intended to feel like a bustling hub of activity and learning. The village green is the heart of the community, where residents can gather in the dining hall, attend an art class, enjoy a sunny afternoon by the pool or meet with their mentor. Multiple classrooms offer practical learning opportunities. A fitness studio, playground and multi-purpose gymnasium provide flexible opportunities for neighbors to stay active and engaged while also hosting social events, performances and special events. An on-site health care and cosmetology studio offers convenient access to personal care services, giving residents peace of mind about their well-being.

One of the key design challenges was ensuring the security of residents and facilitating the right balance of oversight and independence. The individual rooms in each home open to a central living space, allowing neighbors to keep sight of each other, while enabling a family-style atmosphere. Additionally, the designers were challenged with laying out the community in a way that did not feel institutional, but rather exudes a true neighborly environment where residents feel a natural kinship and comfort.

“We created interstitial spaces between the buildings on campus and a walkable loop that enables neighbors to casually encounter each other, further promoting connectedness,” continued Fish. “Designing a sustainable community for the long-term was a key facet of our approach, and we focused on understanding both the basic and granular needs of each resident to make sure the design responded accordingly.”

At Berry College, Cooper Carry also designed Morgan Bailey Hall for Health Science, Briggs Hall Animal Science Addition; Audrey B. Morgan and Deerfield Halls; Valhalla Stadium, Dana Hall addition, Roy Richards Memorial Gymnasium renovation,  and Krannert Student Center addition..