At Finegold Alexander Architects we have experience designing a variety of commercial and residential spaces. We are adept at applying best practices across building types and have recently completed our first Senior Living project, The Newbury of Brookline. Finegold Alexander served as Architect of Record with Robert AM Stern as Design Architect.

Senior Living has a lot of similarities to our multifamily projects. While both of these building typologies serve residential purposes, the design approach for Senior Living facilities differs in some key ways from Multifamily Housing. We explain some of these conditions below. Senior Living Facilities also often offer a continuum of care within the same property, with Assisted Living and Memory Care residences in separate portions of the building or property to more easily accommodate resident health and abilities as they age. The comparison below largely addresses differences between standard multifamily housing and Independent Living spaces within senior living campuses.

Item 1: Unit Layouts

How it’s the same: Layouts need to comply with accessibility requirements.

Considerations for Senior Living: Increased likelihood of mobility challenges, above and beyond accessibility code minimums.

Unit interiors have similar layouts but require more consideration for maneuvering with assistance from canes, walkers, and assistants. This results typically with more open floor plans, more space in bathrooms, and added convenience accessories including shower seats and grab bars.

Item 2: Universal Design

Considerations for Senior Living: Accommodations for a variety of physical and cognitive ability levels.

Throughout the project there needs to be more attention to aspects of the design that address hearing, sight, and mobility. These include things like providing clear visual connections between spaces, incorporating higher contrast finish materials, and minimizing or eliminating flooring material transitions.

Item 3: Common Areas

How it’s the same: Multifamily projects often have common spaces for residents to create a third space outside of their apartment or condo. This also includes first-floor commercial space, used for cafes, offices, gyms, and other spaces.

Considerations for Senior Living: Expanded common space offerings

At Finegold, we draw upon our experience with hospitality projects to help inform the common areas of the senior living design. For these residents, in particular, it is important to provide quality amenity spaces focused on fostering community. Seniors are less likely to leave the facility so offering a variety of services on-site -- dining room, fitness center, healthcare treatment rooms, art rooms, therapy pool -- engage the community without the need to leave the campus. Ideally these are located throughout the building to provide areas of repose for residents and come in a variety of scales to accommodate both structured and impromptu activities.

Item 4: Connections with Nature

How it’s the same: Access to nature is important for all residents and their well-being.

Considerations for Senior Living: Providing quality connections with the outdoors and nature

Americans spend on average upwards of 90% of our time indoors. Studies have consistently shown that connection with nature through quality daylight and views have positive mental and physical health outcomes. This is important both in units and common spaces. At the Newbury of Brookline project, we worked closely with the design architect and interior designer to have large exterior window openings and to bring in aspects of nature indoors with the prints and colors that were used. We also have generous outdoor patios off the main common spaces to engage more directly with nature when weather allows.

Item 5: Mechanical Systems

Considerations for Senior Living: Sensitivity to heat and particularly cold temperatures

Climate control is very important in senior living facilities. The first step- as with any project- is to start out with a tight building envelope system to prevent heat loss. We then carrying through with appropriately balanced and located mechanical systems which are important to the comfort of senior residents. Working with a mechanical engineer is key and ensuring consistent temperatures within a space with no drafts or high velocity air which discourages people from fully utilizing the building throughout the year.

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