In a year when time has felt as though it’s both standing still and blazing by, it’s rewarding to pause and recognize this distinct moment: the 25th installment of our annual EFA Design Showcase. It’s a bright spot in the history of Environments for Aging as well as the senior living design industry. On the following pages, you’ll find projects that are truly advancing the field, delivering settings where residents thrive, staff work effectively, and providers operate efficiently. In total, we had 53 submissions to the 2021 program. From there, our esteemed jury pored over the pages of presentations full of detailed project descriptions, photos, and floor plans, determining which would move forward for awards consideration. In the end, 10 projects were named finalists; four received Honorable Mention; and two were given our highest honor, the Award of Merit. Congratulations to all!

As we celebrate our 25th year, we decided to change things up a little in how we present the Showcase, as well. Within this special section, you’ll find an excerpt from our first-ever EFA Design Showcase webinar held in late March, an opportunity to bring together design leaders from the award-winning projects to talk about the major trends defining senior living today and how those trends influenced their projects. I encourage you to listen to the webinar on demand, if you haven’t already. Additionally, starting in this issue and continuing throughout the next year, we’re publishing project profiles of all our winners, starting with Award of Merit-winning The Spires at Berry College. Watch for this ongoing coverage in the magazine and online. Finally, we look forward to recognizing this year’s winners in person, as well, during a magazine awards luncheon to be held at the 2021 EFA Expo & Conference (Aug. 28-31, Chattanooga, Tenn.). I hope to see you there!

Thanks to Our 2021 Jury

Joseph Billig
Senior vice president, Touchmark Development and Construction
Alissa Brandt
Managing principal of interior design, Ankrom Moisan Architects Inc.
Amy Bursey
Studio director/partner, Banko Design LLC
Shirah Kasongo Cahill
Landscape architect, SWBR
Dora Kay
Vice president, Moseley Architects
Jessica Luh Kim
Vice president of membership, policy and professional development, Ontario Retirement Communities
Lisa Marcello
Executive vice president/CFO, Episcopal SeniorLife Communities
BJ Miller
President, The Vision Group Studios
Jami Mohlenkamp
Principal & senior living practice area leader, OZ Architecture
Tina Moullet
Executive director, Rose Villa
Janice Sanada
Managing principal, LRS Architects Inc.
Matt Schuler
Director of culinary development, SCOPOS Hospitality Group
Jennifer Silvis
Editor-in-chief, Environments for Aging
Brent Wollenburg
Project architect, RDG Planning & Design
Ida Wrocklage
Interior designer, Reese Design Collaborative


2021 Award Winners and Finalists

  • The Spires at Berry College, submitted by Faulkner Design Group and THW Design
  • The Springs at Lake Oswego, submitted by LRS Architects

Honorable Mention

  • The Highlands at Wyomissing – Personal Care Building, submitted by SFCS Architects
  • LiveWell Center for Resilient Living, submitted by RLPS Architects and RLPS Interiors
  • The Ridge Pinehurst, submitted by Lantz-Boggio Architects & Interior Designers
    Senior Resource Group, Maravilla at The Domain, submitted by Perkins Eastman

Finalists

  • The Aspen Tree at The Forestias, submitted by Magnolia Quality Development Corp. Ltd. Thailand
  • Brewster Place Retirement Community, submitted by SFCS Architects
  • Downtown Oakland PACE Daycenter, submitted by Kava Massih Architects
  • Generations at Shalom Park, submitted by RLPS Architects and CJMW Interior Design
  • The Living Wisdom Center at Hubbard Hill, submitted by Arkos Design Inc.
  • Menno Haven Life Center, submitted by RDG Planning & Design
  • Murano Senior Living, submitted by Ankrom Moisan
  • Watercrest Sarasota, submitted by HKS and Interior Design Associates Inc.
  • The Watermark by the Bay, submitted by Goebel Design Group
  • Wesley at Tehaleh, a shared ministry with Presbyterian Homes, submitted by Cuningham