Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness

Gensler partnered with the Kirk Gibson Foundation to design the state’s largest standalone wellness center dedicated to Michigan’s Parkinson’s community. Located just north of Detroit, the 40,000-square-foot Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness reimagines a former fitness facility as the state’s first activity-based environment that supports those living with Parkinson’s, their loved ones, and caretakers.

The Center provides free therapy and rehabilitation services that focus on movement, cognition, and social connection. The heart of the two-story space is an open hub of activity that includes flexible areas for spin, tai chi, pickleball, music therapy, and more. The second floor retains a 360-degree walking track and overlooks the main atrium, encouraging visibility and engagement.

Eight guiding principles: Encourage, Empower, Educate, Enrich, Expand, Engage, Embrace, and Energize, shaped the design, creating a space that is supportive, calming, and navigable at every level. Focused on inclusive design, from accessible restrooms to strategic lighting and materials, the Center promotes ease of use and dignity. Anticipated to serve 60,000 annual visits, it stands as a transformative resource for Michigan’s Parkinson’s community.