AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community
Design for Aging Review 14
Foreword Our Lifecycle is Our Guide for Design America’s population continues to grow with each successive generation,
It’s not a new idea, but architects in every sector of the built environment
and each generation is living longer than the one before it—including my
have found interesting and innovative ways to keep us connected to
own, the famous (or infamous) baby boomers. According to the U.S. Centers
nature, even if we inevitably spend 90 percent of our lives indoors—in our
for Disease Control (CDC), the number of Americans over the age of 65 will
homes, cars, at school, and work.
double during the next 25 years to a whopping 72 million people. By 2030, the CDC notes, older adults will account for one fifth of the U.S. population.
One day, that number might decrease, since the well-documented (and intuitive) health benefits of “getting out” are fundamental to holistic design.
More effective health care and better overall health have contributed to a
The lifecycle of a work of architecture, as it maps to our own lifecycle,
longer lifespan for us boomers. Good news: Those advances will contribute
is also fundamental to holistic design—and we all deserve an architecture
to even longer lifespans for Gen Xers and millennials, as well as all those
that can sustain us throughout our lives.
who come after. It has never been more important than now to get aging in place, senior living, or “design for aging” right.
This edition of Design for Aging Review, in a series that began more than a quarter-century ago as a vital expression of DFA, reminds us that good
In the pages that follow, you’ll read about projects recognized by a blue-
design is a lifelong right. Congratulations to DFA for shepherding another
ribbon jury in an important biennial design competition sponsored by
excellent volume into the hands of architects—young and not-so-young—
the American Institute of Architects Design for Aging (DFA) Knowledge
who ensure that right in the work they do.
Community. Regardless of how the jurors premiated these projects, one dominant theme emerged: the degree to which the architects could create a strong connection between interior spaces and the natural world. Carl Elefante, FAIA 2018 AIA President
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Overall Jury Statement We are living and designing in an ever-faster-moving world with new technology and new information on how the environment, both natural and built, affects our bodies and our brains. How do we as individuals involved in this unique and complex sector stay in front of and use this information to create a better built environment? That is what we hoped to see in the submissions to the 14th edition of Design for Aging Review. We believe the projects selected respond to this evolving world. The trends that emerged in the preceding Design for Aging Review— household and neighborhood design, community connections, and affordable housing models—are now the well-established design and operational base line for communities. So where do we go from here? Clients, designers, and residents are looking for more thoughtful and timeless design; communities that engage and give back to the neighborhood; and more integrated, sustainable, and healthy environments for residents, families, staff, and owners. The jury looked for designs that realized the owner’s objectives, established at the beginning of the project and executed throughout the process with a clear vision of the stated goals to be achieved. This ranged from a parti of a hillside village, a single focal point, working within the restrictive boundaries of an urban site, to creating an affordable yet sustainable model using technology and green design principles, which now include biophilia and WELL Building principles.
Top right: Caleb Hitchcock Memory Care Neighborhood at Duncaster Retirement Community Photography: Robert Benson Photography
Bottom right: Brightview Bethesda Rendering: courtesy of Hord Coplan Macht
Opposite: Abiitan City Mill Photography: Troy Thies Photography
The jury was composed of a dedicated group of volunteers representing the design industry, both architecture and interior design, as well as owner / operators of large aged care communities or systems. Each was a valued member who brought a range of perspectives to the review of the projects. Through the process of individual evaluations and initial group discussions, the jury was able to clearly identify the merits of the submissions. Having a well-rounded jury led to insightful discussions about the projects with jury members bringing their unique perspectives and convincing others of ideas and approaches they had not seen or thought about before. Three themes emerged from the submissions for Design for Aging Review 14. Some of these are similar to the last cycle of the biennial competition, which indicates not so much an emerging trend but an indicator of where this sector is moving. These trends are affordable senior housing, community integration, the emphasis on nature and technology. Affordable senior housing Four key points made the affordable housing projects stand out not just for the designs, but for how they positively affected the local communities and ensured they would remain affordable in the future. This was the use of higher quality materials and construction methods for better energy savings; technology that enables residents to monitor how they are helping to achieve the goal of affordability for them and future residents; the emerging and creative methods of public / private partnerships to develop and finance projects; and the transformation of existing affordable housing to rejuvenate a neighborhood.
Nature and technology In addition to the conscious use of energy, there are more projects following biophilia, WELL Building, and LEED principles to achieve healthier, energy efficient, and better designed buildings for the long-term health of residents and staff. These principles are being achieved with a focus on nature and technology, for example a winding path that opens up to views and sunlight around every curve; the introduction of natural light into resident bathrooms; communal spaces and resident rooms that look out to a single tree as a shared focal point; and clever solutions based on the study of natural and artificial light to better maintain the natural circadian rhythm of residents. Design for Aging Review has long been established as the standard bearer for innovative and thoughtful designs for our ever-growing elderly population.
Community integration
This jury challenges our industry to keep pushing the envelope for new ideas
The increasing integration of affordable housing into the urban fabric of
and better use of technology and materials for the environment you are
local communities reinforces this theme as now being a major shift in
designing in. Always keep in mind that our collective clients are the ultimate
the market sector. This is reflected in the projects that are positioned as
end users: the residents of the communities we design.
part of the overall urban renewal of a city; communities that are helping transform industrial areas into mixed-use housing, thereby revitalizing or creating a neighborhood; and designs that respond to the local character of a district and the desire of communities to be part of and support the social fabric.
On behalf of the DFAR14 Jury, David L. Banta, AIA Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners Washington, D.C.
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The Jury David Banta, AIA Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners Washington, D.C. David Banta is a licensed architect in the state of Maryland and works at Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners in Washington, D.C. where he is involved in all aspects of the firm’s senior living projects. He has worked across the senior living sector since 1999 and has been at the forefront of industry discussions through his affiliations with the AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community where he is also a member of the Advisory Group, and the American Seniors Housing Association. David has developed an astute understanding of the evolving global trends amongst seniors. He has applied innovative principles to a range of communities, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities. He has successfully managed the planning and design of retirement communities, residential projects, urban infill, transit-oriented, and mixed-use developments with major developers in cities throughout the United States and China. The needs associated with the aging process are universal, and David has been invited to give educational lectures nationally and internationally.
Paul Donaldson, AIA, LEED AP
Karla M. Jackson, MS, RID
PRDG Senior Living Architecture Dallas, Texas
StudioSIX5 Austin, Texas
Paul Donaldson is a
a registered interior
licensed architect in the
designer in the state
state of Texas, where he
Karla M. Jackson is
of Texas and is Design
is the Managing Principal of PRDG. Paul has an
Director and Principal at StudioSIX5 in Austin.
extremely diverse background, with more than
Karla holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
25 years in architectural design, planning, and
interior and environmental design and has been
construction of senior living and health care
practicing for 28 years, the last 13 at StudioSIX5
facilities. Paul has combined his knowledge of
focusing exclusively on the design of senior living
construction technology, code research, and
communities across the country. While attending
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
graduate school at Texas Tech University, Karla
planning with real-world project experience.
taught studio design classes and concentrated
Paul has devoted his career to improving the
her studies on gerontology and the effects of
quality of care in senior living environments
the built environment on individuals living with
through creative, functional architectural
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In 1991,
solutions. Through this work, Paul’s residential
Southwest Journal of Aging published her master’s
designs parallel advancements in the personal
thesis on the design of adult day care centers to
care industry, offering inviting services and
accommodate seniors with dementia. Karla has
environments for the elderly. Paul’s work includes
been interviewed for articles in Senior Housing
a series of resort-style high-rise CCRC projects
News, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, and
that changed the paradigm for urban senior living
Multi-Housing News, and was a featured speaker
communities. His work represents more than a
at the 2017 and 2018 Environments for Aging
billion dollars of senior housing construction in
Conferences. She is passionate about elevating
20 states. Today he manages a firm of 25 people
senior housing design by creating unique,
completing work for senior living clients such
engaging environments and optimizing quality of
as Life Care Services, Greystone Communities,
life for residents and their families.
Elmcroft Senior Living, and Formation Development Group.
Dayle Krahn, BBA, EDAC Baptist Housing Ministries Society Vancouver, B.C., Canada
David F. Lacy Southminster, Inc. Charlotte, North Carolina David Lacy is President and Chief Executive Officer at Southminster,
Dayle Krahn has been
Inc. He spent the first 11 years of
Vice President of
his career working in the area of city
Property Maintenance
planning. Since 1982, David has
and Development at Baptist Housing Ministries
focused on management of Continuing Care Retirement
Society for 12 years. With extensive experience
Communities as Associate Director for Finance and Planning
in construction and land development, Dayle is
at Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill,
the lead project manager on all Baptist Housing
North Carolina, and Executive Director at Trinity Terrace in
development opportunities. He has been involved
Fort Worth, Texas, before becoming President and CEO
in researching and studying design for senior
of Southminster in 1999. He also held various positions
environments and is involved in all aspects of new
on the Board of the Armed Forces Retirement Homes in
developments from conception to move in. He
Washington, D.C., finally serving as Chairman of the Board
works very closely with architects, consultants,
and COO. David currently serves as Chairman of the Board
and contractors to build a physical environment
of the LeadingAge North Carolina Foundation. Previous
that enhances residents’ independence and team
affiliations include member of the House of Delegates of
members’ ability to deliver care. Dayle oversaw
LeadingAge and member of its Continuing Care Community
the design and construction of Baptist Housing’s
Advisory Committee; member of the Continuing Care
new award-winning 260-bed residential care
Advisory Committee of the NC Department of Insurance;
building, The Heights at Mt. View. He continues to
member of the Financial Advisory Panel of CARF/CCAC;
look for latest trends and innovative designs that
and an evaluator and team leader for numerous site visits.
will improve resident experience.
David’s professional awards include the LeadingAge North Carolina Career Excellence for Lifetime Achievement in 2018; LeadingAge North Carolina Distinguished Service Award in 2003; and the U.S. Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 2002. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University and a Masters in Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in North Carolina.
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Opposite left: Design inspiration Opposite right: Village green model Above: Central courtyard model Renderings: courtesy of c.c. hodgson architectural group
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c.c. hodgson architectural group
EmpathiCare Village Miami, Florida // Miami Jewish Health Facility type (year of completion): Skilled nursing—dementia / memory support (2020) Target market: Middle / upper middle Site location: Urban
Gross square footage of the new construction involved in the project: 265,932 Provider type: Faith-based non-profit
Below: Aerial view
Overall Project Description
institute. In addition, a three-level parking structure
The original home and gardens were more
In 2015 Miami Jewish Health celebrated its
replaces the current parking on the site. This
than 100 years old, and the original elements
Diamond Jubilee 75th anniversary serving Miami
approach will provide residents with a full range of
of the campus became the centerpiece of the
and the region in providing quality senior living
stimulating indoor and outdoor experiences and
central courtyard around which the campus
options along with a variety of community care
options that are much more similar to a residential
grew. Over time, however, expansion and the
services. Miami Jewish Health is now moving
or hospitality lifestyle versus a hospital-like
demand for parking changed the feeling of
forward with its vision for the next 75 years and
environment.
the outer portions of the campus as surface
beyond. This vision includes a new master plan for the Miami campus that will incorporate
parking lots dominated. The master plan
Project Goals
is designed to recapture and extend the
several phases of new construction, allowing the
What were the major goals?
ambience of the original campus through the
organization to continue enhancing and growing
• To create a strong future for Miami Jewish
addition of parking decks that allow for the
its ability to provide high-quality residential options
Health that aligns with the current and future
creation of new internal courtyards, including
for all levels of senior care along with community
needs of the residents and patients its serves
the EmpathiCare Village central court, bringing
outreach programs. These new facilities and
and establishes the vision for the next 75
the lush garden landscape theme back to the
campus plan will enhance Miami Jewish Health’s
years. This was achieved through an intensive
ability to provide top-quality services to the
collaborative process with senior administration
greater Miami area, as well as amplify its role in
and staff to redefine the essence of Miami
a level of memory care second to none in
the region as a leader in gerontological services
Jewish Health moving into its next 75 years of
both the care model and the architecture to
and research. The new master plan is based
service. Through an intensive charrette process
support and augment that care model. This
upon providing key additions to the campus and
and working with memory care specialists,
involves the realization of the EmpathiCare
repurposing and improving the existing buildings
the vision for the initial phase of the master
Village concept. The overarching theme is to
and open landscape areas that make up the fabric
plan was to create EmpathiCare Village. This
provide a secure, therapeutic environment for
of the campus. One major goal is to enhance
visionary concept for memory care in a holistic
residents with dementia by creating a secured
the ambience of the overall campus by reducing
setting provides household living within a
“village.” The residential households surround
surface parking and providing more decked
context of interior and exterior support spaces
individualized courtyard spaces emphasizing
parking. This will allow the addition of more lush,
that reaffirm therapeutic patterns of daily living.
the indoor / outdoor therapeutic connections
green, open spaces and extend the beauty of
The second phase of the master plan includes
by providing cultural, social, and therapeutic
the existing open courtyards in the north side of
creating the Miami Jewish Health Institute for
wellness spaces. This stimulating yet secure
the campus to the south areas that are currently
Gerontological Studies. Future phases include
environment encourages more natural patterns
occupied by surface parking. The first phase of
a year-round indoor garden atrium and a hotel
of daily living for residents, their families, and
construction is planned for EmpathiCare Village,
to support the Institute and guests receiving
caregivers as they move throughout the day
a new memory care center that will provide a
treatment at Miami Jewish Health.
from the households to the various amenities.
revolutionary approach to resident care, making
overall campus.
• To master plan the main Miami campus,
• To provide, in the initial phase of development,
the campus a leader in this critical field of service.
which is the traditional home of Miami Jewish
Innovations: What innovations or unique features were incorporated into the design of the project?
The design approach creates a secured “village,”
Health, in a way that maximizes the strengths
designed to provide neighborhood residential
The most unique feature is the translation of
of the existing campus while providing new
settings along with a variety of amenities for
the vision of a new and innovative concept in
and cutting-edge services for the people it
residents that emphasize the rhythms of daily
providing memory care. While there have been
serves. This was addressed by building on
living and familiar settings. Programmatically,
previous models that have sought to provide
and maximizing the charms and strengths of
EmpathiCare Village consists of residential
some memory care amenities using visual
the original elements of the campus. Seventy-
households, cultural and therapeutic wellness
and architectural cues, such as the Hogeweyk
five years ago, the Douglas Family Estate was
spaces, offices for administration, and a research
community in Holland, EmpathiCare Village
donated to establish Miami Jewish Home.
provides a much richer program of therapeutic
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Challenges: What were the greatest design challenges? One of the major design challenges was to provide all the elements that are part of the vision of EmpathiCare Village within the overall campus in a way that achieved the proper balance of security, privacy, and user integration. EmpathiCare Village had to provide the shared amenities that the entire population of the campus can take advantage of, while providing a secure environment, as well as replacing the surface parking necessary to make the project viable. The balancing of all these constraints was achieved by composing the architecture and entry sequences to provide a series of paths of secure movement from parking deck, new entry drop-off courtyard, and entry pavilion connected to the rest of the campus. This system, plus the servicing through the parking deck and into the hidden service corridors, was a complex design challenge that called for a clarity of diagramming and ultimately an architectural sequence that wove all the various complex circulation demands together. A second challenge was to create a secure environment for EmpathiCare Village (and the rest of the campus), while satisfying the urban design goals of making the campus a more
Ground-floor plan
appealing neighbor to the surrounding community. opportunities in a more authentic environment.
a much richer experience for residents where
Programs ranging from dance and music
there is a world of possibilities beyond being only
therapy in the theater, visual arts programs and
in their room or the shared great room of each
gallery spaces, gardening and pet therapy, and
household, like so many memory care facilities
brain gym activities are provided in settings
are limited to today. Another innovative design
that correlate to storefronts and shops that
feature is the careful and elaborate separation of
one would encounter in daily life. The cafe and
the service areas and the resident areas. Service
common house are additional examples of
corridors are hidden and all material movement
the social interaction opportunities the village
including food, supplies, and trash occur
affords as well. Opportunities for interaction
behind the scenes making for a much calmer,
with family members, staff, and visitors in a safe
quieter, and positive resident, family, and staff
and supportive secure environment can lead to
experience.
Over time, the campus had grown within a continually evolving urban neighborhood. In order to remain secure, a series of perimeter walls were constructed to contain the surface parking lots. In the new master plan approach, the design vision was to minimize the perimeter walls and utilize the buildings and perimeter park areas to create a more positive street environment all around the campus. For Miami Jewish Health and the City of Miami, this approach is a win-win as security is maintained but a more positive urban streetscape is achieved.
Collaboration: How did stakeholders, occupants, the design team, and / or others collaborate during the planning and / or design process? The design process for the project was and continues to be extremely collaborative and interactive. The process began with a series of meetings with senior administration and staff to get to the heart of the vision of the institution moving forward and to establish the goals for the master plan of the campus and the initial phases of implementation. The group of design professionals, senior administration, and staff formulated the essence of a new care model for the organization, creating the EmpathiCare model and shepherding all design decisions to support it. The next steps included a two-day charrette bringing together all stakeholders, including administration, staff, residents, and family members, along with the design team, to define the goals and programs of the future of the organization and formulate the strategy to create the buildings’ components and typologies to implement the vision. The iterative design continues through the master planning and formulation of the special area plan submitted Green / Sustainable Features: What green / sustainable features had the greatest impact on the project’s design?
Jury Comments
Outreach: What off-site outreach services are offered to the greater community?
The key sustainable features are site design
memory support addition follows the principles
considerations, energy efficiency, and rideshare,
Miami Jewish Health is a major provider of outreach
of neighborhood or small house design. The
such as carpooling and Zipcars.
neighborhoods, while separate from each other,
to the City of Miami and to the design of EmpathiCare Village.
services to the local community. Its traditional main campus includes a PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) center that provides social and medical services to the surrounding local community. The Rosomoff Pain Center provides pain therapy to patients from all over the world. The main campus also provides a variety of educational and wellness support programs for area residents. These and other outreach programs serve
As part of a larger senior living community and health center, this new assisted living /
have shared central back-of-house spaces and
Primary motivations: What were the primary motivations for including green / sustainable design features in the project?
exterior garden spaces. Even the upper floor neighborhoods can access the garden space. The location on the campus, although remote,
The primary motivations were to support the mission / values of the client / provider and of the design team, and to make a contribution to the greater community.
has a connection to community-wide amenity spaces and health center, thus creating the sense of being inclusive of the entire community and breaking down the barriers between old and new.
more than 200 local residents in the immediate surrounding neighborhoods each month.
Top and bottom: Courtyard Renderings: courtesy of c.c. hodgson architectural group
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Hord Coplan Macht
Frasier Meadows Retirement Community Independent Living Additions and Renovations Boulder, Colorado // Frasier Meadows Facility type (year of completion): Independent Living (2019) Target market: Middle / upper middle Site location: Suburban Gross square footage of the new construction involved in the project: 250,715 (13,555 addition)
Gross square footage of the new renovation / modernization involved in the project: 41,370 Provider type: Faith-based non-profit
Below: The new independent living building occupies the northeast corner of the campus adjacent to a major arterial road into downtown Boulder Opposite: Front entry
This comprehensive biennial review of architectural trends and designs for aged care communities represents excellence among current facilities designed by architects for an aging population. The American Institute of Architects Design for Aging Knowledge Community invited a jury of five prominent design practitioners and operators with expertise on senior living facilities to select the exciting range of projects featured in this 14th volume of the Design for Aging Review series. With photographs, plans, renderings, and comprehensive data and descriptions, these projects demonstrate the ever-growing innovation and insight in design for aging communities.
$60.00 [USA] ÂŁ35.00 [GB]