The EFA Conference + Expo community tours offer a chance to highlight some of the latest design ideas and community strategies at work in the host city. This year’s event in Milwaukee includes three tours from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.
St. Rita Square is an independent living, assisted living, and memory care community in the heart of Milwaukee that explores a new way of enhancing a sense of community by integrating senior living within a liturgical setting. Here, Eric Harrmann, chief design officer at AG Architecture (Milwaukee), discusses some project highlights attendees can expect to see on the T01: St. Rita Square tour.
EFA: What about the community’s architecture and/or interior design stands out to you most?
Harrmann: The architecture carries forward the familiar feel of the previous church [on the site], the forms and shapes found in the adjacent neighborhood, as well as the rich Sicilian heritage of the area. Cherished artifacts from the original church were recovered, restored, and incorporated into the exterior and interior design. Stained glass, stonework, the church sign, dates stones, and the signature rose window are some of the details used in the new church as well as throughout the senior living community. The interior design incorporates a mix of local textural materials with vibrant colors and themes found in Italy to create an upscale setting with the warmth of home.
What’s an innovative or new approach to senior living here?
An exciting aspect of this project was translating a horizontal suburban configuration into a vertical urban solution. This included the evolution of the casetta—a concept that promotes socialization. The top floor penthouse gathering area and outdoor patio as well as amenity spaces integrated throughout the community support an active urban lifestyle that keeps seniors connected and engaged to their fellow residents and the vibrant city beyond, no matter where they live in the building.
What challenges did you have to overcome on this project?
The tight urban site, elevation change, and fixed accessibility points required creative problem solving. The buildings were carefully configured to centralize amenities and provide residents with an outdoor oasis—The Piazza. The buildings frame the large gathering area on three sides to provide a sense of privacy, while an elevated view to the pedestrian sidewalk maintains the neighborhood connection. Inside the elevation change was thoughtfully integrated into The Trattoria to create a dynamic dining venue with views and access to The Piazza.
What’s one takeaway from the project that you want attendees to learn during the tour?
This project demonstrates the power of community connections to elevate the senior living experience. By honoring the heritage of the site, we created a unique mixed-use setting where seniors can remain in the neighborhood they love and have access to a supportive church community. The owner’s programming enhances connectivity and socialization for their residents and the surrounding neighborhood to foster a true sense of community.
Tour registration as well as more information on the EFA Conference + Expo, April 2-5 in Milwaukee, is available at environmentsforaging.com.
