Editors’ note: SAGE will present findings from its 2025 POE of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Care Center at the 2025 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, during the session “Notes From the Field: A SAGE Post-occupancy Evaluation.” For more on the EFA Conference schedule, visit here.
The Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE) recently released a white paper detailing the findings of its post-occupancy evaluation (POE) at The Spires at Berry College in Rome, Ga., which was held in early 2024. This evaluation examined the four-year-old continuing care retirement community (CCRC) on Berry College’s campus, the largest contiguous college campus in the world.
POEs are critical tools in assessing how well a built environment meets the needs of its users after its completion. These assessments provide invaluable insights into the effectiveness of design strategies, functionality, and overall user satisfaction.
Berry College, founded by Martha Berry, emphasizes work-study programs, with 95 percent of students participating. The community welcomed its first independent living residents in June 2020, with healthcare services launching in late 2020. The relationship between Berry College and The Spires is central to the project’s success.
This dynamic allows residents to engage in lifelong learning opportunities, attend cultural and sporting events, and interact with students in meaningful ways. The college, in turn, benefits from having a community of experienced professionals and retirees who enrich the campus environment.
The integration of a retirement community within a college campus creates both opportunities and challenges, making it an intriguing subject for a POE. Here’s a look at the organization’s process, observations, and conclusions from its 2024 POE.
Selecting a project and a POE team
The Spires was designed by THW Design and Faulkner Design Group and received an Award of Merit in the 2021 Environments for Aging Design Showcase.
The following functional and therapeutic goals detailed in the EFA submission guided the POE team’s observations:
- Seamless integration with Berry College.
- Strong indoor/outdoor connections.
- Fostering wellness and intergenerational interaction.
- Consistent aesthetic quality across all living levels to reduce care-related stigma.
These objectives were established to create an environment that would not only support older adults in their daily lives but also encourage meaningful engagement with the broader community. The design philosophy aimed to remove the barriers often associated with traditional senior housing, fostering a vibrant, active, and inclusive atmosphere.
The POE team, sponsored by Tarkett, consisted of SAGE members who are experts in senior housing design, intergenerational programming, and operational management, including: POE team leads Amy Carpenter, architect/consultant (Philadelphia) and Migette Kaup, professor, Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.); and team members Lisa Warnock, principal and founder, Glow Interior Design (Portland, Ore.); Andrew Carle, president, Carle Consulting (Herndon, Va.); Tammy Sealer, chief development officer, Immanuel (Omaha, Neb.); Sandra Soraci, director, healthcare and senior living segment strategy, Tarkett (Boston); and Margaret Bartholomew, segment strategy, Tarkett (Cleveland).
Process of a POE
Prior to the site visit, project details were shared with residents, staff, and families, with invitations extended for interviews and focus groups.
The POE team gathered data through stakeholder meetings, site tours, photo documentation, and resident and staff focus groups. Key discussions explored design decisions, constraints, and operational goals.
A comprehensive approach was taken to understand the lived experience at The Spires. Residents were encouraged to share their thoughts on both the strengths and weaknesses of the community. Staff members provided insights into operational challenges and successes, while Berry College representatives highlighted the institution’s perspective on the intergenerational relationship. The methodology ensured that all relevant stakeholders had a voice in the evaluation process.
5 design outcomes and observations
By examining the architectural choices, operational efficiencies, and real-life experiences of those who live and work within the facility, the evaluation aims to identify best practices for future projects seeking to merge higher education and senior living.
Integration with Berry College: The intergenerational model is a defining feature of The Spires, offering residents opportunities to stay intellectually and socially engaged. The integration has been largely successful, though there are ongoing efforts to refine programming and facilitate deeper connections between students and residents.
- The CCRC’s location balances proximity for student engagement with a comfortable separation.
- A new connector road facilitates access while maintaining security.
- 70 percent of residents come from outside the local area, with 8 percent Berry alumni and 20 percent with ties to the college.
- Residents actively participate in campus life, attending sports events, inviting faculty to lectures, and building relationships with students.
Indoor/Outdoor Connectivity: The landscape design effectively enhances the sense of place and connection to nature. However, feedback from residents highlighted the need for additional shaded areas and outdoor seating to improve year-round usability.
- The Spires offers 2.8 miles of trails, connecting to Berry’s 15-mile paved network.
- Dining and activity spaces maximize views and natural light, with post-occupancy adjustments for glare control.
- Outdoor patios provide scenic views but lack adequate shading, limiting usability in warm months.
Wellness and Intergenerational Interaction: Wellness is a central focus at The Spires, with the community offering a range of programs to promote physical, mental, and social well-being. The connection with Berry College’s Exercise Science department has proven particularly beneficial, allowing students to gain hands-on experience while supporting older adults in maintaining active lifestyles.
- A well-equipped fitness center and pool are actively used, with support from Berry College’s Exercise Science students.
- A Veterans Wall serves as a meaningful focal point for intergenerational learning.
Residents and students engage in unique ways, such as adopting sports teams and co-hosting events.
Consistent aesthetic and material quality: Efforts to maintain a high-quality aesthetic across all levels of care help to destigmatize the transition from independent living to assisted living or skilled nursing. Nonetheless, some residents expressed difficulties in wayfinding, suggesting an opportunity for improved signage and visual cues.
- Uniform doorways and finishes create an equitable environment across care levels.
- However, a lack of distinct wayfinding cues can make navigation challenging.
Challenges and trade-offs: Some challenges on the project underscore the complexity of balancing design aspirations with financial realities. While certain elements of the project evolved differently than initially planned, creative solutions have been implemented to maintain the integrity of the community’s mission.
- The main kitchen, initially designed for display cooking, now serves as a production hub for all dining areas due to space limitations.
- The original plan lacked dedicated classroom space, though lectures and student-led activities have proven highly popular.
- Market-driven budget reductions impacted landscape design, architectural detailing, and lighting quality.
POE conclusions
The Spires successfully integrates senior living with an academic environment, fostering strong intergenerational connections and high resident engagement. While the design effectively balances independence and community interaction, considerations for improved wayfinding, shaded outdoor spaces, and specialized program spaces could further enhance the experience.
This POE highlights valuable insights for future intergenerational senior living projects. The findings reinforce the importance of designing flexible, community-driven spaces that promote lifelong learning and engagement for all ages.
All SAGE POEs follow research protocols ensuring compliance with federal research guidelines. Research oversight is provided by Kansas State University, and the Institutional Review Board application was approved in January 2022. Learn more about SAGE post-occupancy evaluations and access resources (including the 2024 SAGE white paper) here.
Migette Kaup is a professor at Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kan.) and can be reached at [email protected].
