EFA Next Wave Winner: Carolina Grandelle Steckley, design manager, Curated by Sunrise (McLean, Va.)
Combining her architectural and urban studies background from Brazil with expertise in U.S. residential and multifamily design, Carolina Grandelle Steckley understands design complexity at both macro and micro levels.
Through her holistic approach, she focuses on how residents live, work, and play to deliver environments that are visually appealing and functionally effective for seniors. Leading a studio of three designers, she and her team deliver 25 to 30 projects annually, including new construction and major renovations.
Her notable work includes Sunrise of Vienna, in Vienna, Va., which opened in 2023. Inspired by global travel, natural elements, and local tradition, the community features an urban walk-up entrance, dynamic exterior mural, and integrated public coffee bar—all innovative concepts for Sunrise.
Additionally, for the renovation of Brighton Gardens of Saddle River in Saddle River, N.J., completed in 2024, she guided the renovation of an assisted living and memory care community, purpose-built by Marriot over two decades ago.
The project features an amenity-rich activity hub and a two-story opening to connect the first and second floors visually and auditorily, helping draw residents to participate in activities throughout the community. Her work on this prototype set the tone for future renovations of this project type for the organization,
Her colleagues recognize her as someone who’s willing to rethink and push boundaries, such as design strategies to maximize access to daylight in community spaces and advocating for new amenities to meet residents’ desires, such as a wine tap to facilitate happy hours and an indoor micro farm for fresh greens used in the restaurant on a recent project.
In turn, she says she’s inspired by her peers and team members in the senior living field who deeply care about improving the quality of other people’s lives, which pushes her to seek new ways to improve senior living environments.
What drew you to a career in senior living design?
The desire to design with purpose. After working with urban planning and multifamily interior architecture, I felt the need to work on projects that would improve the lives of people who have a need, in a more personal way.
I believe that the built environment can always improve to better meet the needs of those who use it. Designing senior living environments allows me to express my love for design and well-being and to help the community.
What’s been your most rewarding project to date?
Sunrise of Vienna was one of the largest and most holistic senior living projects I’ve worked on. It was also particularly special because I knew the location very well and could reference traits of the daily life of that neighborhood in the design.
The large mural on one of the façades of the building that highlights local birds and native trees or the commissioned art in the grand foyer that speaks to the rolling blue ridge mountains add a unique sense of home to that community. The modern architectural style of the building and the interior design aesthetic inspired by nature and well-being made this one of the most relevant and meaningful projects of my career so far.
What has surprised you most about working in this industry?
The passion and the dedication of peers in the industry made me even more driven to work on senior living projects. It is very inspiring to see, every day, how so many other individuals in the senior living field deeply care about improving the quality of other people’s lives.
What’s a challenge you’d like to see the senior living industry address in 2026?
Planning and implementation of more sustainable approaches and practices in the field. Gearing our minds to more ecofriendly perspectives in senior living will continue to be extremely important for design, construction, and operations.
Continuing to learn about new technologies, assessing associated costs, and planning the execution of environmentally friendly solutions is, in my opinion, a crucial part of our future projects.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
Find the purpose and the value in everything you do. This mindset not only brings joy and a sense of accomplishment to work but also translates into successful results.
What’s one word your colleagues would use to describe you?
Encouraging. I try to stimulate new ideas and creative solutions to inspire and motivate my team to further develop their design skills and push the envelope forward for each project.
What’s an unexpected item on your desk?
Special handmade fall decorations created by my daughter. And always under my desk, my loyal dog.
Outside the office we’ll likely find you …
Swimming, practicing yoga, or exploring nature and the outdoors.
What’s a must-have skill to succeed in senior living design?
Dedication to understanding and addressing the community’s wishes, needs, and limitations.
Click here to read more about all of EFA’s 2025 Next Wave Award winners.
