A Proper Homecoming for Veterans

Photo Above: Bemidji, MN, the largest commercial center between neighboring Grand Forks and Duluth, is a community steeped in military tradition and history. The new Veterans Home reflects the city’s values by offering care, a variety of amenities, and a scenic location for the underserved veteran population in rural Minnesota. Image Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman

Since we commemorated Veterans Day in a 2021 article showcasing Perkins Eastman’s expertise and passion for designing spaces that serve Veterans, our commitment has only grown stronger. Our work with Veterans Homes in particular is a testament to this mission.

Even today, many federal and state veterans’ homes in operation reflect an outdated, institutional model with cramped, shared spaces that have been proven to negatively impact health and well-being. Residents of these homes face unique challenges, including:

• Social isolation
• Poor access to healthcare
• Limited housing options and homelessness
• Physical health problems
• Mental health issues

The US Department of Veterans Affairs adopted the Small House model to address these issues. The model is intended to promote cultural change and a shift away from traditional institutional care. To honor the unique needs of each individual and community, every home must be designed using a layered approach, with programs that emphasize health, independence, camaraderie, and dignity.

“With each VA project, we design to enhance autonomy, choice, and well-being,” says Jerry Walleck, the managing principal of Perkins Eastman’s Chicago studio, which helmed the work for the five veterans homes in Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan. “Seeing the impact that our work has on veterans continues to be the most rewarding part of this process.”

Several of the veterans’ homes projects featured in our previous article are now open and serving veterans, and additional projects are advancing through the design phase.

On this Veterans Day, we invite you to explore the latest innovations and discover how these new approaches are enhancing care and support for veterans nationwide.

Bemidji (left), Preston, (center), and Montevideo (right) Veterans Homes in Minnesota. Photographs by Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman 

Three new Veteran’s Homes in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) announced the completion and dedication of three state-of-the-art veteran’s homes in Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji earlier this summer. This historic achievement marks the first time that three major homes have been built simultaneously, setting a new standard for innovative and supportive veteran-care facilities nationwide.

The homes, designed in collaboration with Perkins Eastman and Wold Architects and Engineers, will allow Minnesota to serve almost 200 more veterans who need skilled nursing care as they age.

Amenities such as fitness centers provide opportunities for veterans to focus on their health and well-being. Photograph by Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman

“We are honored to provide these new homes for our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Brad Lindsay, commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. “These facilities represent our commitment to offering the highest standard of care and creating a supportive and dignified environment for our veterans.”

Places for gathering at the Bemidji home provide ample daylight and views to the outdoors. Photograph by Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman 

The Montevideo, Preston, and Bemidji Veterans Homes each feature campuses arranged with small households of 18 veterans. Each household has its own community living spaces, while every room is individual and generously sized with private bathrooms. Additionally, the households all connect to an active town center, which serves as the social hub of the campus.

Warm wood accents and fireplaces (Montevideo, left, and Bemidji, right) provide a homey atmosphere. Photographs by Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman

Each home features areas for therapy, dining, wellness, and gathering. Each campus also reflects its region’s unique cultural and regional identities, with Montevideo displaying prairie-style architecture, Preston with more traditional and formal architecture, and Bemidji reflecting the beautiful North Woods cabin culture and landscape.

Rustic furnishings and finishes exemplify the attention to details involved in the design of the Montevideo home. Photograph by Andrew Rugge / Copyright Perkins Eastman

Rendering of the Illinois Veterans Home campus with independent living on left and long-term care on right. Copyright Perkins Eastman

Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

The Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy aims to transform veterans’ care through a phased redevelopment of its historic campus. Working closely with campus leadership and the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Perkins Eastman developed a 50-year plan focused on superior support and wellness, establishing a residential setting that encourages social connection among intergenerational veterans. David Clifford, chief engineer of Illinois Veterans Homes at Quincy, reflected on the success of the plan, sharing that “Perkins Eastman’s vision has effectively balanced clinical-care flexibility with a welcoming, home-like environment, successfully addressing the complex needs of our veterans.”

Currently under construction, the new long-term care building is oriented around the original core, ensuring easy access to the heart of the campus and fostering a strong sense of place. Rendering and Photograph Copyright Perkins Eastman

As the oldest and largest Veterans Home in Illinois, this 210-acre campus holds more than 25 buildings. Honoring its history, the design reorients new buildings around the original campus core. Indoor and outdoor spaces are oriented to connect residents with nature, and designated pathways improve wayfinding and walkability.

Guided by the VA’s community-living-center model, the design includes 15-person households within a 251,000 sf, 210-residence, long-term care environment.

The Chicago-based team has been heavily involved in all phases of design and construction of the Quincy Veterans Home. Rendering and Photograph Copyright Perkins Eastman 

A new 75,000 sf, 80-bed independent-living building provides flexible options that emphasize independence and community. This shift from institutional to residential design signifies a cultural evolution in veterans’ care on the campus.

The project is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Clean, modern Scandinavian aesthetics integrate well within the region’s semi-arctic climate of the D.J. Jacobetti Michigan Veterans Home. Rendering Copyright Perkins Eastman 

D.J. Jacobetti Michigan Veterans Home
Department of Technology, Management, and State Facilities 

When the new D.J. Jacobetti Marquette Veterans’ Home opens in 2027, it will provide resident-centered care for veterans from multiple generations. Designed with the unique climate and local history of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in mind, this facility prioritizes energy efficiency and comfort, adopting Passive House strategies to create a warm, inviting environment for residents and staff.

The new campus is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Photograph Copyright Perkins Eastman

Initially, Marquette Veterans’ Homes planned to adapt a prototype from other state homes. However, Perkins Eastman recommended a design tailored to the local landscape, climate, and community. Lead Design Pincipal JinHwa Paradowicz applied insights from her research in intergenerational care to develop a plan aligned with USDVA’s Small House model, focusing on culture change, resident interaction, and layered spaces. “The design is inspired by the resilience, dedication, and passion of the veterans who live in the Marquette home,” she said, “we were very focused on honoring their unwavering strength and commitment in every detail.”

As the first Passive House-driven state veterans home in the country, the home will provide consistent indoor environmental quality, which is especially important for the home’s aging and vulnerable resident population. Additionally, Passive House design offers the benefit of low energy usage, leading to reduced heating and cooling costs. Rendering and graphic Copyright Perkins Eastman

Marquette’s design draws on Scandinavian aesthetics, integrating the region’s raw, industrial history and Lake Superior’s arctic climate. Clean, modern lines, abundant daylight, and expansive views counteract the long winter season, while energy-efficient systems enhance resident and staff comfort year-round.

To learn more about Perkins Eastman’s work with Veterans, click here.