“Development Trends: The Evolution of the Small House Concept,” presented during the 2022 EFA Conference + Expo, April 2-5 in Milwaukee, highlighted the importance of understanding regional market trends and how providers can adapt their housing models to attract the next generation of seniors.
Capri Communities, along with AG Architecture, explained how the provider’s successful suburban cottage typology has been evolved and adapted to support independence and socialization in urban and suburban settings. This has helped them tap into a younger senior demographic. The team’s exploration of alternate housing concepts has also been a social experiment. Resident feedback has played a key role in each evolution of the model.
“For the design and construction industry, this social experiment broadens the types of housing being constructed for senior living communities,” said Eric Harrmann, chief design officer at AG Architecture. “We are exploring everything from single-family homes and duplexes to townhomes with walk-up entries and short corridor options for multistory solutions. This concept evolution also involves more complex master planning, from communities being integrated into mixed-use settings and urban infill projects to efforts that establish deeper connections to residential neighborhoods and multigenerational environments.”
Harrmann was joined on stage during the session by Amy Schoenemann, director of real estate development at Capri Communities, and Daniel Fischer, project manager at AG Architecture.
The small house concept originated in the healthcare component of senior living. The intent was to serve a smaller number of residents in a home-like setting. While the small house concept is often associated with assisted living and memory care environments, there are valuable socialization elements that can be applied to independent living, according to the speakers. Harrmann says the firm has been focused on these social aspects of the model for independent living settings.
For example, the panel discussed AG Architecture’s work with Capri Communities (Waukesha, Wis.) to develop its casetta concept, originally introduced at Village Pointe Commons (Grafton, Wis.). The design promotes socialization by connecting four cottage-style residences with a communal space. The layout supports socialization on a more intimate scale between the neighbors of this shared space. The intent is to provide opportunities for more meaningful interactions.
Schoenemann said the concept has been well received with seniors in the Wisconsin market for allowing residents to maintain the independence and freedom associated with having their own space. “However, they like the ability to have access to the amenities of the greater senior living campus as well as the security that the additional healthcare services are available when or if needed,” she said.
With each project, Capri tests variations of the model. In more urban settings, the team has integrated shared spaces throughout multistory buildings. This strategy supports spontaneous interactions and encourages residents to explore and enjoy amenities and activities on multiple floors.
Overall, the small house concept meets market demands for wellness-focused environments. With choice and socialization as priorities, this concept enhances multiple dimensions of resident well-being, according to Harrmann. “One example is the evolution of Capri’s outdoor spaces. These areas provide increased connections to the outdoors. Not only is this an attractive and marketable amenity; it supports overall well-being—mental, physical, social, emotional, etc.”
For example, St. Rita, an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in the heart of Milwaukee, offers a shared outdoor area called The Piazza at the heart of the community as well as a penthouse balcony adjacent to independent living units located on the sixth floor. Capri’s Vista West, an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in Madison, Wis., features an expanded outdoor courtyard and rooftop patio.
The continued evolution of Capri’s small house concept has tapped into a younger senior demographic. This is evidenced by data Capri collected at Village Pointe Commons. “The average age of residents in the casettas is a range from 69 to 74 which compared to the cottage product is a drop by eight years,” said Schoenemann.
At Vista West, the ability to age-in-place in an apartment setting is a marketable benefit. “While the casetta offers the standalone house-like setting, the apartments at Vista West can adapt to support assisted living needs without requiring the resident to move. Communities that can appeal to the desire to age-in-place are better positioned to attract the younger senior demographic,” said Fischer.
With each new project Capri and the design team evaluate the market demands and site constraints to adapt the model accordingly. Each iteration becomes a new social experiment and another opportunity to better serve the senior population, according to the speakers.
