Our Architectural practice continues to be involved with a high volume of senior housing projects. A good number of these are modernizations of mid-rise 100+ unit buildings in urban and suburban settings.
The primary reason for this demand is well known; "Boomers" are aging-in and are remaining healthy and independent longer.
These "younger" seniors want fresher environments, access to technology and the availability of more programs and services in an apartment style setting. This trend, coupled with changing life safety, energy and building codes is dictating significant physical plant upgrades.
In some cases our projects involve re-planning support space more efficiently to "find" more program and amenity are as. Creating spatial variety supports varied programs and activities.
A welcoming "Living Room" can become the heart of an amenity zone which should also have quiet rooms such as libraries and dens along with active spaces such as exercise rooms and internet cafes. Residential style finishes furnishings and lighting contributes to an overall homelike environment.
More and more, we are seeing senior buildings that serve as a link in a larger continuum of care. "Housing with Services" establishes that link. We are more often than not, enlarging and enhancing existing dining and recreation rooms to support services such as "Program for All - inclusive Care for the Elderly" or PACE. This usually involves adding more toilets, storage, food service and office support space.
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