Senior Living Design: Site Layout and Planning
From safety and accessibility to lighting and wayfinding, there are many considerations to weigh when designing for senior living. However, the key goal is to incorporate features that will allow seniors to safely age in place, maintaining as much independence, dignity and respect as possible.
Starting with site design and layout, we’ll walk through some of the primary components of senior living architecture, sharing an overview of the elements that we focus on in each project.
Large-scale considerations: Urban vs. rural environments
Urban Environments
In urban settings and densely populated places, a multi-story building may be appropriate to maximize density on what is most likely a small parcel of land. In the urban example shown here, parking is in the back of the building. This allows the front of the building to face the street, making it integral to the main road and connecting it with the neighborhood. The building also has a front porch where residents can sit, chat and observe outside activity. In addition, it is very important to locate parking near entry doors for shorter walking distances into the building. Another element we love is the addition of resident garden areas. This amenity helps seniors enjoy the outdoors while adding beauty to the building. We enjoy using raised beds, as they can be easily accessed by residents.
Rural Environments
As illustrated here, this rural example of senior housing features single-story garden style apartments. In this design, the parking is situated to minimize walking distances to individual front doors. Each resident also has a front porch and gardening area. The development includes a central community building, which is a wonderful way to encourage interaction among residents and foster social connections. When designing for senior living, we recommend siting the building/buildings so that they avoid a direct northern exposure, allowing for maximum natural light. In addition, a thoughtful approach to site layout includes barrier-free routes to the building from the parking and sidewalks with gradual changes in grade.
