The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs along with Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs has started construction on Phase 1 of the Central Arkansas Veterans Homes in North Little Rock, Ark. The community living centers will eventually include a total of 12 new resident homes with a capacity for 168 residents.

The centers will provide veterans of varying ages with integrated community households, designed to treat a variety of needs including long-term care, dementia care, respite, and rehabilitation services.

The Chicago office of Perkins Eastman is providing architecture, planning, and interior design services for the new homes. Phase 1 of the project will consist of a 87,100-square-foot campus with eight 9,600-square-foot resident homes, a community building, and maintenance facility. Phase 2 will create four additional homes.

Each home will include ten single-occupancy rooms and two double-occupancy rooms, all with private bath; centrally located common areas including living room, study, dining room, kitchen and den, all featuring abundant natural light and ventilation; and front and back porches that allow for immediate outdoor access.