The Boomer generation is one of the largest living generations in America, second only recently to Millennials. As a substantial percentage of the population, they hold a significant influence on the housing market. Anticipating the future needs of the Boomer generation, there is an increasing need for senior living communities that challenge traditional views of senior community design. Developers are seeing a desire for walkable communities that offer a variety of experiences, social and intergenerational interaction, choices, and flexibility.
Next Generation Senior Living
KTGY’s R+D Studio explores a senior living high-rise concept that takes advantage of the benefits of an urban lifestyle and serves the wide range of needs of older adults. Next Steps integrates luxury amenities and convenience retail with facilities providing options for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Seniors can have everything they need in proximity and remain active in their friendships, families, and communities, while living in an urban neighborhood through life’s changes.
Connection to Community
Next Steps accommodates two levels of curated retail and commercial uses to support resident needs. With more than half of Boomers owning pets, the building includes a pet resort for grooming and boarding. A children’s daycare, community makerspace, and public plaza promote social interaction among residents and the local neighborhood.
A common dining area is shared between the Independent and Assisted Living residents. It is located on the 9th Level sandwiched between the Independent Living levels and the Assisted Living levels.
Aging in Place: Choice and Flexibility
The ability to age in place is an important aspect of senior living, as well as having choices and flexibility. Independent Living floor plans were created with universal design elements in mind and ways to create a sense of neighborhood and community. The independent living floors also include multi-gen suites for residents who may have a relative or caretaker who lives with them. This suite was inspired by single-family multi-gen suites and is designed for the resident and caretaker to have separate living areas with separate entrances while still being able to move through both spaces as a single unit.