History

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An Inspiring Journey

MDP has provided design services for senior communities since 1973. In that time, the firm has celebrated noteworthy milestones, been awarded newsworthy projects, nurtured long-standing client and partner relationships and received local, national and international recognition.

1973

Founded by Samuel Merlino, Merlino Design established prominence in the design of hospitals, private schools and the early concept of retirement living.

1974

Merlino Design worked on its first Retirement Community, Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania—one of the first CCRCs in the country. 

Late 1970s

Through the International division of Retirement Living Planners, Sam Merlino consults on many projects in Europe, including France, Switzerland and Spain.

1980s

Merlino Design flourished as an up-and-coming design firm specializing in senior living. The firm received multiple large retirement community commissions in the Mid-Atlantic states, including Devon Manor, Cathedral Village, Waverly Heights, White Horse Village and its first urban project in downtown Philadelphia, Logan Square East.

1988

Bruce Hurowitz joins the firm.

1993

The firm completed Silver Court, the first freestanding community in the state of New Jersey dedicated to residents with Alzheimer’s disease.

1995

Hurowitz named partner and the firm was re-branded to Merlino Design Partnership.

Late 1990s

The firm established many long and successful relationships with senior living providers; many of which are still clients today. Towards the end of the decade, Merlino Design was regularly receiving work from national developers.

1998

Merlino Design Partnership established MDP Contract Furnishings to offer a turnkey solution to clients.

2000s

Merlino Design Partnership established itself as a leading design firm in the senior living industry. The firm completed the adaptive reuse of the Essex and Sussex Hotel—circa 1914—into a retirement community.

2005

MDP+MFA, based in Orlando, was established to better serve the ever-growing senior living work in Florida.

2006

Kimberly Hyduke rejoined the firm as a Senior Interior Designer after a decade of work in the engineered surfaces industry. The firm went through a brand refresh and launched MerlinoDesign.com.

2007

The firm was honored to have three projects published in an international book—Retiring in Style around the World—by Masuhiro Agari.

2008

Merlino Design Partnership completed Charming Square Shirogane, a high-rise retirement community in Tokyo, Japan. The project received much acclaim.

2010s

Merlino Design Partnership continued to grow and expand reach to entire East Coast and Midwest. The firm received multiple awards for client projects.

2012

Renaissance Culinary Innovation, a strategic, multidisciplinary alliance, was formed to help redefine the culinary and hospitality experience in senior living.

2015

Heath Village, a client since 1993, invested in a repositioning. The firm created new dining venues—and the work was recognized as a Gold Winner in the 50+ Housing Design Awards.

2016

Merlino Design Partnership received a commission to design Broadview Community, a full retirement community on the campus of Purchase College—complete with an intergenerational Learning Commons.

2018

Merlino Design Partnership celebrated its 45th anniversary and promoted Kimberly Hyduke to partner.

2019

After a 50-year illustrious career, founder, Sam Merlino retired leaving a strong and thriving company to head into 2020.

2020

Under the leadership of Bruce Hurowitz and Kimberly Hyduke, the firm is poised for the future — rebranded as MDP with a focus on Inspired Design.

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