Tsali Care Center

The Tsali Care Center, located in Cherokee, North Carolina, is a two-story, 131,765-square-foot long-term care facility, dedicated to the care of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). This intricate project included a variety of spaces to meet the diverse needs of its residents, including skilled nursing units, memory care areas, and a dialysis center, providing essential healthcare services to the community. The design also integrates health and wellness features, creating a homelike environment that is both functional and comforting for its residents. Perhaps most importantly, the spaces were designed to foster community.

Robins & Morton’s role in the Tsali Care Center was instrumental in addressing the project’s unique challenges and delivering a successful outcome. Their implementation of a design-assist delivery method facilitated effective collaboration. This approach was crucial in navigating the complex construction logistics of the site — amid the Great Smoky Mountains — and the building’s intricate structure, which featured prefabricated load-bearing metal-framed walls, multiple skin types, and a unique shape that stretched across nearly the entire 32-acre site. Robins & Morton’s expertise ensured that the facility not only met all of the team-established Conditions of Satisfaction but also came in $4 million under budget and was completed two months early, underscoring their commitment to efficient and quality delivery.

The inclusion of advanced technologies, such as CGI models and virtual reality mockups, played a significant role in aligning the project with the client’s vision and expectations. Robins & Morton’s proactive engagement with local trade contractors further enhanced the project’s community impact, achieving a 50% local trade involvement — exceeding established goals by 20%. This not only fulfilled but exceeded the client’s requirements and demonstrated Robins & Morton’s dedication to fostering local economic growth. The Tsali Care Center was the fifth project Robins & Morton completed for CIHA in the span of a decade.