North East Medical Services (NEMS) PACE San Jose Center

The NEMS PACE Center represents a groundbreaking evolution in culturally responsive healthcare design as a state-of-the-art environment for elder healthcare second to none, and a design tailored to the holistic well-being of San Jose’s aging Asian population.

The design concept, drawing on classic Chinese philosophy, is based on 天下 (Tiānxià), meaning “all under heaven.” The design narrative centers around the belief that everyone, especially the elderly, deserves to experience healthcare spaces that affirm their worth and cultural identity.

The PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program includes memory care rooms, an activity room, media lounge, meditation spaces, and dining areas. A full medical clinic, a public-facing dental suite with panoramic X-ray, acupuncture and injection stations, and an on-site pharmacy are also integrated.

The circulation path, designed as a loop, also functions as an exercise route, encouraging mobility and reinforcing the center’s commitment to holistic wellness. Flanked by mural walls and green accents, it creates moments of intentional pause and visual connection with tranquil garden pathways.

An indoor garden at the core of the center, positioned directly under a large skylight to bring natural light into the originally windowless interior. Organic forms, planters, natural light, and the floor design create a spatial rhythm and visual calm supporting the Chinese character 人 (rén), which references beneficence, compassion, empathy, and trust.

The center includes a meditation room with faux skylight and soft lighting, ensuring a tranquil space for spiritual reflection. The adjacent media room, designed to accommodate group screenings of Chinese dramas and karaoke, promotes social engagement in a familiar and joyful setting.

This culturally-aligned wellness hub redefines how nonprofit spaces can honor elder communities. Every design decision— such as oversized exam rooms with built-in sofas for family members—was made in the service of care, empathy, and belonging.