Dirigo Pines, Orono, ME

The 56-acre Dirigo Pines Retirement Community consists of two major components:the Main Inn and Cottages. These components are incorporated as part of the Eastern Maine Medical Healthcare umbrella to provide the residents with the healthcare access in both assisted and independent living environments. The Main Inn offers full spectrum assisted living accommodations and independent apartments within a 133,500 sq. ft. structure. The Main Inn consists of independent living apartments,traditional assisted living apartments,special care units and advanced care assisted living units.

The structural engineering issues for the Main Inn were complex due to the interaction of two distinct building wings. Building code requirements necessitated a non-combustible construction for much of the facility, so concrete masonry fire walls have been designed to separate the steel-framed wings. The interface of these wings at fire walls required specific detailing to allow thermal and structural movements to occur without distressing building components or finishes. The structural steel frame supports each floor, which consists of open web steel floor trusses with steel deck and concrete slabs. Steel beams and composite slabs will frame the floors at lobbies and assembly areas. Roof framing utilized pre-fabricated light gage steel and wood trusses with fire rated sheathing to provide a durable and cost effective structural solution which meets all fire code requirements.

A twenty car enclosed single story garage is also proposed to serve the Main Inn. A braced steel frame with pre-fabricated wood trusses creates a space which is column free and maintains a residential scale. The cottage style homes are single story wood framed duplex structures of between 1,200 to 1,480 sq.ft. with garages and well landscaped lots.