When considering adaptive reuse strategies for senior living communities, the industry shouldn’t overlook one building option: former schools. These structures are typically beloved by people in the community. And transforming these community assets into affordable senior living communities has emotional, community, and sustainable benefits, presenters at the 2023 EFA Conference + Expo, April 15-18 in Charlotte, N.C., told attendees during the session “From Schools to Housing: The Benefits of Adaptive Reuse and Aging in the Community.”

“There is a lot of support for schools to be repurposed. People do not want to see their beloved school demolished or replaced,” said speaker Philippe Saad, principal at DiMella Shaffer (Boston) and a 2021 EFA Design Champion. Saad was joined on stage by Jovi Cruces, senior associate at DiMellaShaffer (Boston), and Karmen Cheung, developer at Pennrose (Cambridge, Mass.), a multifamily affordable housing developer.

The speakers noted that schools are ideal candidates for adaptive reuse because of the favorable floor plans, including large classrooms, which can be transformed into multiple residential units for senior. Additionally, large auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias can be turned into amenity spaces that can serve not only residents but the community at large.

“We often try to preserve that community linkages by creating multipurpose spaces inside these buildings for the residents as well as for the community,” Cheung said.

Converting a school into The Pryde in Boston

The proximity and connection to walkable neighborhoods and existing amenities, including libraries, also make former school buildings ideal for senior living projects.

For example, DiMella Shaffer and Pennrose are partnering to convert the former William Barton Rogers School in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood into The Pryde, an LGBTQ-friendly senior affordable housing complex. The building is in close proximity to amenities including libraries and a YMCA and has easy access to transit options.

“Schools are most often located close to town centers, which helps support the town center sense of place,” Saad said. “Senior housing balances a town demography because seniors are home during the day and shop locally versus the workforce that usually travels to work and are home in the evening.”

Adaptive reuse benefits and challenges

Another benefit of adaptive reuse is that the approach helps defer material from the landfill and can reduce a building’s carbon footprint by reusing materials such as masonry, according to the speakers.

However, converting schools into viable senior living environments isn’t without challenges. Project teams often have to address issues related to accessibility, preservation requirements, and aging building envelope, the speakers noted.

“The biggest challenge is accessibility,” Saad said. “Many old schools are perched on hills, have plenty of stairs, and no elevators.”

Adding elevators and re-creating an accessible entrance can help address those issues. However, architects and developers may have to follow the historic preservation standards of the National Park Services and local historic commissions when working with older buildings, specially when they are funded by historic tax credits, which can create additional challenges.

For example, historic school building features, such as lockers, chair and picture rails, flooring, chalkboards, built-in cabinets and bookcases, and coat closets or other millwork typically are required to be retained.

Another challenge is making the exterior envelope meet current energy codes. “This usually includes adding continuous insulation and replacing windows,” Saad said.

However, the speaker note that the extra steps can be worth it. “The biggest reward is to see how our work gives such buildings another life,” Saad said. “Another huge reward is when you encounter a resident who went to school in the same building that is now their home.”

Tracey Walker is managing editor of Environments for Aging. She can be reached at tracey.walker@emeraldx.com.