From reclaimed urban property to blurring the lines between market rate and affordable housing, designers and architects are taking their senior living community plans to new heights.
Dozens of communities stacked up in the 2015 Senior Housing News Design Awards, with new construction and renovation projects vying for the titles in each of seven categories: Affordable, Assisted Living, CCRC, Independent Living, Renovation/Repositioning, Skilled Nursing/Post-Acute Care, and Stand Alone Memory Care.
Only one community was named the best of each category, with judges weighing in on design features and community amenities from state-of-the-art gyms to neighborhood-style communities and more.
“We continue to be impressed with how designers, architects and operators are raising the bar each year for senior living communities,” said SHN Publisher and Founder George Yedinak. “Owners and operators are setting themselves apart through design in an increasingly competitive market environment by leveraging innovative spatial designs and focusing their efforts on community integration in local areas.”
Projects varied in their features, but aligned in a common purpose, noted Michael Zusman, CEO of Kwalu, the leading provider of both indoor and outdoor furniture to Senior Living and exclusive sponsor of the third-annual awards.
“The Senior Housing News Architecture and Design Awards competition has seen truly diverse entries of the highest caliber, but they’re all connected with a common thread: a dedication to making a difference in residents’ lives through innovative space planning and design,” Zusman said. “With the landscape of senior living undergoing monumental changes, the winners of the Awards have established how cutting-edge design will help move the industry forward.”
SHN is pleased to announce the 2015 Awards Winners:
Best Affordable
The Kilpatrick Renaissance (Chicago, IL)
Worn Jerabek Wiltse Architects, PC
Runner-up: Pinellas Heights Affordable Senior Living
Best Assisted Living
Aegis on Madison (Seattle, WA)
Aegis Living
Runner-up: Avanti Senior Living at Towne Lake
Best Continuing Care Retirement Community
Balfour at Riverfront Park (Denver, CO)
Balfour Senior Living
Runner-up: Ashby Ponds Retirement Community, Neighborhood 2
Best Independent Living
Azulon at Mesa Verde (Costa Mesa, CA)
Legacy Partners Residential
Runner-up: Sumter Grand Independent Living Facility
Best Renovation / Repositioning
The Terraces at Los Altos (Los Altos, CA)
D2 Architecture
Runner-up: Garden Spot Village
Best Skilled Nursing / Post-Acute Care
PowerBack Rehabilitation, Lafayette (Lafayette, CO)
Mainstreet
Runner-up: South Cove Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Best Stand-Alone Memory Care
Abe’s Garden (Nashville, TN)
Abe’s Garden
Runner-up: The Friendship House at Royal Oaks
Each entry was analyzed by industry experts basing their final judgements on several criteria including Design & Aesthetics, Community Integration and Amenities & Lifestyle. This year’s judges included: Jeff Anderzhon, FAIA, Senior Planning/Design Architect at Eppstein Uhen Architects; Elisabeth Borden, Principal at The Highland Group; Dan Cinelli, FAIA, Managing Principal at Perkins Eastman; John Cronin, AIA, Senior Principal at AG Architecture.