Spieker Senior Development Partners (Menlo Park, Calif.) sought to develop a community that would answer the expectations of seniors in Orange County, Calif., who did not want to compromise their independence, level of enjoyment of life, and access to social engagements, but are transitioning to a new life stage in which they need more assistance and care. The result is Reata Glen in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., a 62+ continuing care retirement community that combines the comforts of a new home with the convenience of services and access to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing center. Serving a set of sophisticated, well-traveled seniors looking for a resort-style setting and accustomed to a more upscale lifestyle, the community’s design works to ground residents in the locale and support regular opportunities for social and emotional engagement.
The team of BraytonHughes Design Studios (San Francisco) and KTGY Architecture + Planning (Irvine, Calif.) approached the design through a hospitality lens to balance functionality with personality; create a strong sense of place; and include touches one might expect in a boutique hotel or personal home. Resort-like amenities include a breakfast lounge, art studio, billiards, fitness room with steam room and locker rooms, and indoor pool. The design is an extension of the surrounding area, grounding residents in a distinctive locale with its own history, spirit, and personality. For example, in a nod to the nearby historic landmark Mission San Juan Capistrano, the “Jewel of the Missions,” the community features a design inspired by the California Spanish Colonial influence of the region. Mission-inspired white walls contrasting with honey-toned beams and Spanish Revival inspired custom carpets, contribute to a sense of liveliness, and increase residents’ interaction with the architecture.
The art curated by Mary Hannah of comprehensive art consulting firm Kay + Hannah Associates (San Francisco) elevates the concept of luxury to respect a locale’s cultural, historical, and geographical legacy and captures the culture and history inherent to San Juan Capistrano and creates a sense of belonging for residents. Nearly 500 citrus trees planted at the property are subtly reflected in the work of Molly McCall, a California artist who integrated agricultural cues in her paintings. Local artist Marsh Scott incorporated the mission, swallows, and native flora and fauna in laser-cut metal pieces installed both inside and outside of the community. Local photographer Susan Brown Matsumoto shot photographs of the local rodeo to offer glimpses into the golden age of early California and a pastime significant to Rancho Mission Viejo.
Drawing from the property’s proximity to the coastal surf towns San Clemente and Laguna Beach, the tone for the bar was set with elegantly displayed surfboards and vintage photographs of surfers paired with travel posters referencing surf culture history. Throughout the community, individually framed art pieces help residents with wayfinding; for example, collage artwork featuring vintage maps cut into in the shape of swimsuits leads the way to the pool.
Throughout, the team delivered multidimensional spaces and volumes that break down barriers to social and emotional engagement. Despite its sprawling size, Reata Glen encourages social interactions through a space that feels neither commercial nor institutional. The large dining room is separated into three smaller areas, and when the entire room is occupied with potentially hundreds of people, each of the smaller rooms reflects a different palette, with unique fabrics and finishes and colors in the carpet. Contrasts and color were incorporated by segmenting certain areas in different tones and creating venues of varying volumes. This use of contrast and color has a unique way of animating the mind and memory and aiding in depth perception to help guide residents to places that are familiar to them.
Another way in which the design helps Reata Glen de-institutionalize and personalize the look and feel of senior living is by giving residents in the memory care units the opportunity to personalize their homes by placing reflections of themselves, from small mementos to framed photos, on small shelves near their apartment doorbells. Instead of having to recall impersonal apartment numbers, residents can recognize where they are through meaningful objects that serve as wayfinding tools.
The community features 480 independent living units and 20 memory care units.
Project details:
Facility name: Reata Glen
Location: San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Completion date: Resident occupancy, June 2019; health center, early 2020
Owner: Spieker Senior Development Partners
Total building area: Commons building, 42,531 sq. ft.; pool house, 39,255 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: N/A
Cost/sq. ft.: N/A
Architecture firm: KTGY Architecture + Planning
Interior design: BraytonHughes Design Studios
General contractor: W.E. O’Neal
Engineering: N/A
Builder: N/A
Art program: Mary Hannah of Kay + Hannah Associates
