As part of the 2026 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo in Phoenix, March 16-18, the new Exchange stage in the expo hall will host insightful, focused sessions where attendees can learn directly from exhibitors and industry partners on the latest products, tools, and emerging topics and strategies in senior living design.
Kicking off the new Exchange stage programming on Monday, March 16, a panel of industry leaders gathered to discuss the evolution in dining spaces in senior living. The presentation, “Serving Up Success: The Future of Dining in Senior Living,” moderated by EFA Editor-in-Chief Anne DiNardo, brought together representatives from the winning project teams of Environments for Aging’s 2025 Dining Competition to share actionable insights and lessons learned.
Panelists Shannon Kobistek, senior associate at Perkins Eastman, Melinda Avila-Torio, principal and director of interior design at THW Design, and Penny Lake, director of interior design at Lantz-Boggio, shared how project teams are balancing high-end aesthetics with rigorous operational efficiency.
One theme of the discussion was the need to avoid “dining fatigue” among baby boomers and Gen X residents by shifting away from institutional, cafeteria-style environments toward flexible, restaurant-style experiences.
Choice and flexibility are paramount in modern design, the speakers also noted. Avila-Torio highlighted the growing demand for versatile spaces that support multiple dining experiences throughout the day, from fast-casual grab-and-go micro-venues to formal dining integrated with wellness programming. Lake noted the importance of blurring the lines between assisted living and independent living dining, creating upscale environments that foster community connection and appeal to prospective families.
Interior design strategies for senior dining
During the discussion, the panelists also shared some of the frequently overlooked interior design strategies in dining. Kobistek emphasized the need for properly layered, dimmable lighting to create an authentic restaurant atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Lake pointed out that acoustics and dedicated mobility device storage must be planned early in the design process to avoid resident complaints and costly post-occupancy retrofits.
For more on the EFA Conference + Expo, including the schedule for The Exchange, visit environmentsforaging.com.
