Inspirata Pointe will feature 450,000 square feet of new independent living apartments and villas as well as amenity spaces when it opens in spring 2023. Elements of biophilic design are incorporated throughout to enhance resident wellness and create welcoming sanctuaries within the desert locale.

Here, Joe Hassel, principal and co-practice area leader for senior living at Perkins Eastman (Chicago), discusses how to create successful connections to the outdoors and residents’ evolving expectations for amenities.

How does the project incorporate biophilic design?

Biophilic design was a team goal from the beginning and incorporated into the site planning, architecture, and interior design. Studying the natural patterns, textures, forms, and materials found in the Sonoran desert was the first step. Then we layered in the other principals of biophilia including dynamic use of natural daylight, natural ventilation with operable windows, and sliding glass walls that invite the outdoors in. Additionally, the site is designed to encourage exploration and create different experiences from an aesthetic, program, and scale standpoint.

What design features help residents enjoy the outdoors, even in the desert?

In the harsh desert climate, extreme heat and cold as well as arid conditions are major challenges. To mediate these elements, attention to the micro-climate is addressed within each courtyard. Passive cooling design, water features, and outdoor air circulation are incorporated for hot summer months, and heaters and fireplaces aid in cooler months.

How are residents’ expectations for outdoor amenities evolving?

They’ve evolved to be more experientially based and are greatly influenced by retail, mixed-use, and hospitality environments. Creating an active, ever-changing vibe is critical, which can be achieved by creating intentional experiences, building in flexibility for creative programming, and blurring the line between interior and exterior space. At Inspirata Pointe, the site is designed for exploration with artful placement of promenades, intimate pathways, covered breezeways, lush seasonal gardens, and amenities throughout the grounds.

Where do you see senior living heading next?

With the 100 years+ life expectancy at our doorstep, there will always be a need to provide environments to allow people to age with independence and dignity. The future of living environments for older adults will elevate the experiences around life-long engagement, cultural connectivity, diversity and inclusion, intergenerational connectivity, state-of-the-art care, enhanced multidimensional wellness, and a continued and greater connection to nature and biophilic design.