MDP proudly announces that its Meadow Ridge Dining project received a Gold Award in the Environments for Aging 2026 Remodel/Renovation Competition.

The awards program, now in its 18th year, recognizes the remodel and renovation of single spaces within senior living communities, including dining spaces, lounges/activity areas, lobbies, and other resident spaces. MDP’s bar and restaurant renovation submission highlights the team’s work to reimagine the culinary experience at Meadow Ridge in Redding, Connecticut.

Transforming Underused Dining

The existing dining room presented both challenges and opportunities. Large, dated, and underutilized, the space lacked the intimacy, variety, and sense of arrival associated with today’s hospitality-driven senior living environments. The space lacked a bar area and dedicated pre-function space. Furthermore, one of the three dining zones functioned primarily as a waitstaff pass-through rather than an active dining venue. Operationally. this resulted in unnecessary distance between the kitchen and table service.

As the team assessed how to rework the floor plan while preserving the architectural character, the existing eight fireplaces posed a particularly unique design challenge. One of the jury members commended the team’s ability to engage the project stakeholders to give up many of the fireplaces, as the removal transforms and really modernizes the spaces.

A Hospitality-Inspired Experience

The implemented planning strategies create dining destinations within a cohesive culinary experience, beginning with a branded entrance and host station to provide a true sense of arrival. The reimagined restaurant-style layout takes advantage of the fireplace structure to organize the dining space. The two remaining working fireplaces provide ambiance while a newly clad art niche creates an inspired backdrop for a communal table.

The design concept explores scale and intimacy, using lower milled ceilings, screening elements, and light fixtures to decrease the volume of the space and improve acoustics. Next, the new bar and pre-function space with multiple entry points offers a variety of seating options and points of engagement, including a wine tasting area and access to the Winter Garden and future alfresco dining (across the circulation corridor). Each dining venue showcases a refined palette with textural layers, sophisticated patterns, and warm woods and metals.

Jury Praise for Meadow Ridge

In addition to the fireplace solution, the jury applauded the beautiful renovation and MDP’s thoughtful approach to space planning, material selections, millwork details, lighting, and furnishings.

“A successful transformation of a large space into more curated, dedicated dining spaces. Each venue feels individualized, which supports the ideas around choice and variety,”

“The result is a refreshed, elegant, and highly functional space that significantly elevates the resident experience.”

MDP’s work on this award-winning project will be featured in a special Remodel/Renovation Competition section of EFA magazine’s fall issue. The team will also be recognized during the annual Environments for Aging Conference + Expo in April 2027 in Charlotte, N.C.

Resident Satisfaction: The True Reward

“This award recognition is such an honor,” says MDP Principal Bruce Hurowitz. “We value the opportunity to support communities such as Meadow Ridge as they look for ways to best serve their current and future residents. And we take great pride in creating environments that combine hospitality, operational clarity, and a sense of community.”

Explore more images and details of the Meadow Ridge dining transformation.