In his role, Alan Siegfried is responsible for managing the design development and construction management functions for all new-build senior living communities, but it’s his commitment to continuous improvement that really stands out. In addition to the ongoing development of all senior living design standards for the organization, which operates 45 communities across eight states, Siegfried co-introduced a process whereby his team gathers feedback on every project a year after its opening and uses it to deliver value-added improvements not only at that community but others, where feasible. That theme of continuous improvement is also evident in Brightview’s focus on placing new communities in urban settings with links to existing neighborhoods to support resident health and wellness as well as drive engaging, multigenerational connections. Two recent projects exemplify this effort, including Brightview Woodmont, a high-rise infill property in an urban neighborhood in Bethesda, Md., which features street-level amenities such as a beauty salon, coffee shop and theater. The seven-story Brightview Innovation Center, scheduled to open in early 2023, is adjacent to a public park developed by Brightview and nearby metro station to encourage residents to stay active and travel. After more than 17 years in the industry, Siegfried is as invigorated as ever to keep the industry moving forward. “It’s a great time to be designing for seniors, and there just could not be a more rewarding profession,” he says.
Environments for Aging: What’s kept you committed to senior living throughout your career?
The most rewarding aspects are seeing the community come to life, observing our residents as they enjoy their daily lives within our communities, and receiving real-time feedback from our residents and associates on their daily life experiences. I especially love the concept of continuous improvement and lean into that mission. Having the ability to implement value-adding improvements on a project-over-project basis is very rewarding and motivational, as well. Designing environmental experiences that are supportive of healthy, well, and vibrant lifestyles is an ever-changing and challenging mission and one that’s supremely rewarding.
Your nomination described you as a “champion of contextual design.” Why is this important to your work?
I believe strongly in contextual design—a structured, user-centric design process that collects feedback and applies it in iterative ways to continuously improve the end product. Every design decision that we make is driven in some way by customer feedback: from our operations teams, marketing and sales, residents and their families, as well as front-line associates. In 2008, in recognition of the reality that success is never final, Brightview committed to an endless journey of continuous improvement. We revisit each of our communities about one year after opening and solicit feedback from those who live and work in those communities for the express purpose of challenging ourselves to improve our product on an ongoing basis. The result is real change and improvement that you can see, touch, and experience—project over project. Lessons learned through this design process are implemented in maturing communities, as well, to the fullest extent feasible, through our capital improvement program.
Many of your recent projects are in urban settings. What’s driving this trend?
People want and need to feel connected: connected to their families, their neighbors and friends, surrounding communities, and retail businesses and services that support their daily lives. Urban settings offer convenience and connectivity in an amenity-rich environment. By example, our Innovation Center project is in a walkable metro center environment in northern Virginia. It’s not exclusive that we’re developing in such environments, but clearly there’s demand for congregate senior living communities in convenient, connected, amenity-rich settings. These opportunities are challenging to develop, which makes them especially rewarding.
How do you think design can encourage residents to stay connected and engaged with their surroundings?
Great design connects people to people and connects people to community. We focus on seamlessly connecting residents with indoor and outdoor spaces, walkable amenities, and Main Street settings. Evolving technology is providing ever better and more seamless opportunities to connect with remote families and friends at times when visitation is not possible. We expend a lot of energy in this regard on each project we design. Simply put, thoughtful, creative, sensitive, and responsive design work, driven by connectivity, produces great places to live.
What’s your vision for senior living in the future?
Communities that reflect the community at large, go the extra mile to create residential, homelike environments, and excel at connecting residents with their neighbors, neighborhoods, families, friends, and supportive services will thrive. Healthy living lifestyles and wellness environments will become more and more desirable, driving our focus on fresh and clean air, emotional and physical fitness, functional and livable spaces, residential homelike environments, and active and passive programming that challenges the body and mind will thrive. Physical space planning that provides the flexibility needed to support daily life as aging occurs and also support large gatherings with family and friends and celebrations of life events will become even more desirable. Development will thrive in neighborhoods of all types—urban, suburban, walkable town centers, wherever there’s true need for support of an aging population. Market economics will continue to be challenging, affordability will be an ever-increasing focus, and our high functioning design-development partnerships will find creative solutions and continue to plow forward.
Anne DiNardo is executive editor of Environments for Aging. She can be reached at anne.dinardo@emeraldx.com.
