Alan Siegried, vice president of project management, Brightview Senior Living Development (Baltimore)
Alan Siegfried is responsible for managing the design development and construction management functions for all new-build senior living communities at Brightview Senior Living, but it’s his commitment to continuous improvement that really stands out.
In addition to the ongoing development of all senior living design standards for the organization, which operates 45 communities across eight states, Siegfried co-introduced a process whereby his team gathers feedback on every project a year after its opening and uses it to deliver value-added improvements not only at that community but others, where feasible.
That theme of continuous improvement is also evident in Brightview’s focus on placing new communities in urban settings with links to existing neighborhoods to support resident health and wellness as well as drive engaging, multigenerational connections.
For example, the Brightview Innovation Center, a new independent living, assisted living, and memory care community scheduled to open in early 2023, is adjacent to a public park developed by Brightview and a nearby metro station to encourage residents to stay active.
After more than 17 years in the industry, Siegfried is as invigorated as ever to keep the industry moving forward. “It’s a great time to be designing for seniors, and there just could not be a more rewarding profession,” he says.
As one of our 2021 Design Champions, Siegfried shared some insight on his career and the senior living design industry in this Q+A with Environments for Aging.
Environments for Aging: What’s kept you committed to senior living throughout your career?
Alan Siegfried: The most rewarding aspects are seeing the community come to life, observing our residents as they enjoy their daily lives within our communities, and receiving real-time feedback from our residents and associates on their daily life experiences.
I especially love the concept of continuous improvement and lean into that mission. Having the ability to implement value-adding improvements on a project-over-project basis is very rewarding and motivational, as well. Designing environmental experiences that are supportive of healthy, well, and vibrant lifestyles is an ever-changing and challenging mission and one that’s supremely rewarding.
Many of your recent projects are in urban settings. What’s driving this trend?
People want and need to feel connected: connected to their families, their neighbors and friends, surrounding communities, and retail businesses and services that support their daily lives. Urban settings offer convenience and connectivity in an amenity-rich environment.
By example, our Innovation Center community is in a walkable metro center environment in northern Virginia. It’s not exclusive that we’re developing in such environments, but clearly there’s demand for congregate senior living communities in convenient, connected, amenity-rich settings. These opportunities are challenging to develop, which makes them especially rewarding.
What’s your vision for senior living in the future?
Communities that (1) reflect the community at large; (2) go the extra mile to create residential, homelike environments; and (3) excel at connecting residents with their neighbors, neighborhoods, families, friends, and supportive services will thrive.
Healthy-living lifestyles and wellness environments will become more and more desirable, driving our focus on fresh and clean air, emotional and physical fitness, functional and livable spaces, residential homelike environments, and active and passive programming that challenges the body and mind.
Development will thrive in neighborhoods of all types—urban, suburban, walkable town centers, wherever there’s true need for support of an aging population. Market economics will continue to be challenging, affordability will be an ever-increasing focus, and our high-functioning design-development partnerships will find creative solutions and continue to plow forward.
Anne DiNardo is executive editor of Environments for Aging. She can be reached at anne.dinardo@emeraldx.com.
