Spotlight On Biophilic And Wellness Design In Senior Living
Biophilic and wellness design in senior living communities offers numerous benefits that enhance the quality of life for residents. Integrating elements like natural materials, plants and water features, and abundant natural light creates a calming and restorative environment that can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
These design principles also promote physical health by encouraging outdoor activities and interaction with nature, which can boost immunity and overall health. Furthermore, spaces designed with biophilic elements often foster social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness among seniors.
Here, Environments for Aging highlights 10 recent senior living communities that prioritize biophilic and wellness design strategies. For more senior living projects, go here.
Image credit: @Amber Frederiksen Photography, Inc.
Moorings Park Grande Lake, Naples, Fla.
Built at the eastern tip of a large lake, the 7-story community is designed to maximize views to its waterfront setting while delivering cohesive and thoughtful spaces that allow residents to flow with ease between outdoor and indoor environments. Read here.
Interior designer: Wegman Design Group
Image credit: © Peak Visuals Photography
The Davis Community, Wilmington, N.C.
This 344,000-square-foot community recently added The Promenade, a wellness and community center offering multiple dining venues, a spa, event center, amphitheater, and comprehensive fitness program. Read here.
Architect and interior designer: Lantz Boggio / Architects; architect: Bowman Murray Hemingway
Image credit: Alise O’Brien Photography
Mother of Perpetual Help Memory Care Addition, St. Louis
This community’s central courtyard serves as an outdoor oasis, complete with a meandering path, water feature, and covered porch with seating. Read here.
Architect: Vessel Architecture & Design; interior designer: Spellman Brady & Company
Image credit: Reese Vonderschmidt
Cedarhurst Of Topeka, Topeka, Kan.
Expansive and thoughtfully curated outdoor spaces stand out at this assisted living and memory care community. The assisted living area includes a central courtyard with meandering pathways, pergola with a firepit, gardening space, and individual patios for each unit. Read here.
Architect: Vessel Architecture & Design; interior designer: Dover Development
Image credit: David Papazian
Rose Villa Senior Living, Portland, Oregon
The completed third phase of Rose Villa’s campus transformation highlights intentional efforts to support connection among residents and the surrounding community as well as a focus on well-being and sustainability, using daylighting strategies and a greywater recycling system. Read here.
Architect: Scott Edwards Architecture LLP
Image credit: Ankrom Moisan
Aegis Living Laurelhurst, Seattle
The six-story mixed-use building features a shared public-private outdoor space—a benefit to both the neighborhood and residents of this community. Read here.
Architect and interior designer: Ankrom Moisan
Image credit: Tricia Shay Photography
The Woodlands At Canterfield, West Dundee, Ill.
Biophilic principles guided the design of this 129-unit luxury senior living community with consideration of daylighting, finish selections including wood ceilings and wood-look floors, and textured wallcoverings and artwork that references nature. Read here.
Architect: AG Architecture; interior designer: RDG Planning and Design
Image credit: Jeffrey Sauers, CPI Productions
The Residences At Kenilworth Park, Washington, D.C.
Situated on the edge of Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, the affordable assisted living community features two outdoor terraces, while inside, biophilic design prioritizes access to daylight. Read here.
Architect and interior designer: E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Image credit: Scott Hargis
Coterie Cathedral Hill, San Francisco
With a community goal to provide a holistic approach to wellness, residents have access to programs curated by experts at Mayo Clinic, including tailored nutrition plans and a fitness center. Read here.
Architect: Handel Architects; interior designer: March & White Design
Image credit: SAS Architects
Oak Trace Senior Living Community, Downers Grove, Ill.
The community’s landscaped courtyards feature accessible walking paths and a variety of gardens. Read here.
Architect: SAS Architects & Planners LLC; interior designer: Interior Design Associates
