We’re experiencing more and more generational movement in all facets of life, including the workplace. Millennials and Gen Z are joining the workforce in droves, and a total of four unique generations are now present in the office (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z). As Baby Boomers reach retirement, they’ll present new implications for our communities by calling for the reimagining of what senior living environments can be.
How can architecture and design help ease the aging process in our living and working environments? This week, we’re taking a look at a fast-evolving segment of interior design – senior living.
To learn more about this market, we spoke to architect Rocky Berg, a principal with Dallas-based architecture firm three. Mr. Berg has led three’s senior living design efforts for the past 25 years, and is considered an authoritative voice in the field, frequently speaking on developments and trends impacting this market, including recently on NBC Nightly News.
“The senior living market space is transforming from the Greatest Generation at the doorstep to the massive Baby Boomer generation, who are the children of the Greatest Generation. Because of the size of the Baby Boomer generation, they have the power to turn the dial on almost anything they touch as a group. And Baby Boomers have an entirely different set of expectations compared to their elders. They’re looking for something experiential, and often something service-based.”
According to Berg, the future of senior living looks a lot like lifestyle resorts. As in many other markets, environments for our aging populations are experiencing a strong influence from hospitality design principles.
“Both senior independent living and assisted living facilities are now exploding. And people who have planned accordingly for retirement can make that choice to move into that type of community before they need too. This experiential, hospitality-based wave in the market is making it an attractive option for younger seniors.”
“Savvy providers are borrowing from proven hospitality service models to appeal to future residents. Always mindful that these communities are residences, his team at three starts by approaching the design informed with successful hospitality models found in resorts and boutique hotels. Then they overlay only the must-have senior-appropriate and healthcare fundamentals for an effective senior residence. It’s an adaptable, highly successful approach, he says, that both established provider groups and new entrants to the market have started to embrace fully.”
“Retirement and senior living facilities used to be exclusive in a negative way – the ‘old folks home’ mentality,” said Mr. Berg. “And many are located in non-desirable suburban areas. But, they’re now becoming more inclusive and more integrated into the larger community, with more intergenerational connection. Senior living projects are now moving into more urban sites, with smaller, boutique floorplates and more verticality.”
That experiential piece is the starting point for three’s design process.
“The design community was previously using healthcare as a basis for the design of senior living environments, but that no longer suits seniors’ needs and wants. At three, we approach it from a completely different place. We start with a hospitality base because it helps us create a superior, sublime, curated experience.”
“Landscaping, architecture and interiors should be seamless and focus on the feeling the residence is intended to evoke. In the same way people return to a hotel or restaurant because they like the ‘vibe,’ successful senior communities weave positive and stimulating experiences,” said Berg. “Then we focus our designs on supporting the operator’s mission of service, and the residents’ need to feel comfortable and at home.”
Three particular venues within senior living environments – dining, entertainment and wellness spaces – are becoming much more sophisticated, according to Berg.
“Particular venues within senior living environments are becoming much more sophisticated. Dining venues are improving drastically – we’ll build-in multiple options, such as a marketplace café, traditional dining room, and rooftop bar. Entertainment spaces are also becoming more nuanced – smarter multipurpose rooms that feature exceptional lighting and AV equipment. Theatre rooms have sloped seating and food and beverage offerings, and outdoor areas within the community are built as coveted amenity spaces. Wellness spaces are a huge priority, and are creating with a “mind., body, spirit” mentality. That space is no longer a 20×20 room in the basement; now, there are many wellness spaces in one community – classrooms, aerobic rooms, weight training systems, all types of high-tech pools. And we’re pushing these wellness spaces to the front of the community – as public-facing as can be.”
More thoughtful design elements are being increasingly included in senior living environments.
“On multiple projects, we’ve designed-in executive suites that residents can establish an office in, for work of many types, including work for charities that they’re able to continue well into their retirement,” said Mr. Berg. “We’re also working with circadian lighting more in these senior living environments to better manage the time throughout the day.”
“I’ve been so delighted to see the change in this market. There was so much product that was built during the 60s, 70s and 80s to accommodate the Greatest Generation, and overcoming and reworking those spaces is a very fulfilling challenge. The industry is changing so quickly, and has been completely re-invigorated.”
