Since 1995, there has been a huge emphasis on transforming the culture of long term care facilities as a way to improve the quality of care provided to elderly residents. The focus has shifted from a provider centered model to an individualized resident-centered model where the staffing, policies as well as the physical environment are designed to support the needs of the resident. There has been a movement towards designing physical environments that are smaller scale with more private rooms and baths and household-type neighborhoods for dining and occasional cooking. The Green House puts forth a set of principles to bring about this transformation and envisages a radically reconfigured nursing home.