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Blueprints for Senior Living

October 2015 Issue

Letter from the Chairs

Fall Greetings Blueprints Senior Living Readers!

As the fall season rolls in, it seems perfect that this issue of Blueprints is focused on nature and design for aging. Dwellings enclose and protect us from the elements but they can also house, frame and invite nature in. Is living closer to nature of particular benefit for aging?  How do buildings connect with landscapes, gardens, views, animals, fresh air, and greenery in a convenient and accessible way for older adults?

Many projects include natural materials, therapeutic outdoor spaces, out buildings, sun or screen rooms, and wander gardens. How do these elements benefit older adults?  Does a close bond between the inside and outside, between people and the environment, enhance health, well-being, and social participation?  We are pleased to share articles that your peers submitted who are passionate about and experts in this subject!

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In this issue

DFAR12 Book on Sale for $45

DFAR12 Book Cover    

This compilation of more than 30 outstanding projects in the areas of assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes represents the best current work designed by architects for the ever-increasing aging population.

Each project is presented with photographs, detailed plans, and statistics, illuminating the high level of research, planning and community involvement that goes into these advancements in living environments for seniors.

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Features

Blurring the Lines - Living Closer to Nature Benefits Us All

By Jack Carman, FASLA, RLA- Our dwellings enclose and protect us from the natural elements. However, they can all too often separate us from nature.  Our designs should strengthen our connection to the natural environment and help maintain our lifelong enjoyment of the natural world. In recent, years, we have seen that there is a strong desire to blur the lines between the inside and exterior areas of our living environments.

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Jack Carman, FASLA, RLA

Turn Out Your Pockets

Jim Mehaffey, AIA

By Jim Mehaffey, AIA - Rose Villa, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Portland, Oregon, opened in 1960 and was originally envisioned as an environment in which residents could have a high level of access to the outdoors, a concept that was unprecedented for that time period. Each resident had a front and a back door leading to a personal yard on both sides. There were no apartments on double loaded corridors. The community soon became known for its one-story garden apartments set in lush landscaping and an overall relaxed lifestyle.

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Going Beyond Green: Sustainability for Seniors

By Joe Geller, FASLA - In today’s sustainable building environment, the connection between a building and its surroundings has certainly become an important element of the overall design. But for the senior community, that interdependence is even more essential. The landscape surrounding senior living facilities creates connections, between residents and each other, visitors, staff, and the restorative power of nature itself.

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Joe Geller

Therapeutic Healing Garden Design

Neil Dawe

By Neil Dawe- Therapeutic Gardens have been with us since the Middle Ages. Hospitals and Monasteries for the sick and mentally challenged often included courtyards for reflection, food production, and growing medicinal herbs. The gardens declined with the advent of scientific medicine, but in the 17th and 18th century they began again to develop around hospitals.

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Nature, Gardens and Aging

By Clare Cooper Marcus- The natural attraction of humans to nature is one that starts at an early age, and is present throughout life.  But as people age, there is a tendency for many to stay indoors more than they used to. This may be due to frailty, fear of falling, unwillingness to be too far from home base and access to a toilet.  But there are critical reasons why we should be designing the environments for aging that have easy and safe access to nature and the outdoors.

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Clare Cooper Marcus

In the News

The Design for Aging Community & the Boston Society of Architects Invite You to "Celebrate the Voices"

Please RSVP by October 24, 2015

Join us for an Exhibition-Reception to celebrate our partnership with the Age-Friendly Boston Initiative on Monday, November 2 from 5:30 - 7:00pm at the offices of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) located at 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. This will be immediately following the DFA session 45-C. Shuttle bus service will be provided to and from the Boston Convention Center.

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Upcoming Events

2015 LeadingAge Annual Meeting and Expo

The LeadingAge Annual Meeting & EXPO in Boston, MA, from November 1-4, 2015, will have over 190 inspiring educational sessions that explore how we can "Be The Voice" for change that makes lives better today and in the future.

Don't miss the 2015 Design for Aging Forum (Session 45-C) on Monday, November 2, from 3:30 - 5:00pm. Some highlights of the session include:

  • Consider the national and international award-winning projects included in the 13th cycle of the Design for Aging Review.
  • Discuss the emerging trends and innovations highlighted in this year’s biannual competition submissions.
  • Gain insights into the groundbreaking design that has survived the test of time and been awarded the 10 Year Award.

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Knowledge Community Webinars

Managing Professional Exposures as a Small Project Practitioner
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:00pm ET | Earn 1.0 HSW | Learn more
Sponsored by the AIA Trust
Registration fees: Free

Redefining the Rules: A Deep Energy Retrofit Presentation for Architects & Facility Managers
Thursday, November 5, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:15pm ET | Earn 1.25 AIA LUs | Learn more
Sponsored by AIA Corporate Architects and Facility Management
Registration fees: Free

Did you know anyone can join AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community for FREE? Sign-up on AIA KnowledgeNet and start a discussion in the Design for Aging Discussion Forum.

AIA/DFA Advisory Group Members: Vicki Nelson, AIA, ACHA & Dennis Cope, AIA (2015 Co-Chairs); Dodd Kattman, AIA; Betsie Sassen, RN; Alexis Denton, AIA; Tim Mueller, AIA; Martin Siefering, AIA & Quinn deMenna, AIA

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