Senior Living

As populations age, the demand for forward-thinking senior living environments is accelerating. We draw on our decades of hospitality design experience to redefine what retirement living can be. Our architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design teams work in harmony to design spaces that promote wellbeing, connection, and independence, supported by thoughtful technology and a deep understanding of how people want to live as they age.

“We approach senior living from the unique perspective of hospitality design, resident experience, and operational functionality. Our design solutions focus on enhancing quality of life, offering environments that are vibrant and uplifting. By balancing beauty with practicality, we create spaces that support both independence and community, redefining the concept of aging to live your best life!”

– Daun St. Amand, Global Managing Principal, Architecture

Today’s senior living residents seek an active, vibrant lifestyle, with access to urban amenities, culture, education, and wellness facilities. They expect their living environments to reflect the high standards they’ve enjoyed throughout their lives. Retirees are moving away from isolated, age-restricted communities and toward multigenerational environments that allow them to remain connected and engaged with the world around them. 

WATG designs senior living communities that blend seamlessly into the fabric of cities and towns, offering residents the freedom and flexibility to live life on their own terms. 

We approach senior living design with the same philosophy that drives our hospitality projects: we create spaces that inspire and delight.

Key Design Principles:

• Flexibility: Allow residents to age gracefully in their homes, with spaces that can easily adapt to changing needs over time.
• Technology: Integration of smart technology, supporting residents’ health and wellbeing while ensuring their comfort and independence.
• Community Integration: Spaces that encourage interaction with the surrounding neighborhood, whether through public parks, walking trails, or community events.
• Wellness and Fitness: Spaces that encourage physical, mental, and emotional health, with outdoor areas, yoga studios, and spa-like wellness centers.
• Dining Experiences: Multiple boutique dining options, moving away from the standard dining hall to provide residents with choice, flexibility, and the opportunity to enjoy the social aspects of dining.

We believe that community is at the heart of an exceptional senior living experience. Seniors today seek spaces that foster connection, engagement, and interaction with others. Our design philosophy prioritizes creating environments where residents can build meaningful relationships and feel a sense of belonging within their community.

Shared Social Spaces – Central to fostering community is the creation of vibrant shared spaces that encourage socialization and interaction. We design gathering areas such as community courtyards, lounges, and “main street” style promenades that function as natural meeting points. These spaces invite residents to engage in casual conversations, participate in group activities, or simply enjoy the company of their neighbors in a relaxed, comfortable setting.

Flexible Activity Areas – Flexibility is key when designing spaces that cater to a variety of interests. By incorporating multi-purpose rooms and modular design elements, senior living communities can offer a diverse range of activities—whether it’s a band rehearsal studio, an art workshop, or a pickleball court. These adaptable spaces allow for varied uses throughout the day, ensuring that every resident has access to activities that suit their lifestyle.

Dining as a Social Experience – Dining spaces play a crucial role in fostering community in senior living. Gone are the days of rigid, institutional dining halls. Instead, we create diverse dining environments with multiple restaurant-style venues, grab-and-go markets, and communal kitchens, offering residents the flexibility to dine when and how they prefer. These spaces are designed to encourage spontaneous interactions and shared meals, transforming dining into a social experience where residents can forge new friendships.

Multigenerational Design – Senior living communities are often part of larger multigenerational developments, providing seniors with the opportunity to interact with younger generations. Whether through shared public spaces, proximity to cultural or educational institutions, parks, and cultural and retail spaces, these environments help seniors remain active participants in the wider community.

As the global demand for senior living solutions continues to rise, there are several key factors that developers and investors should consider:

• Urban Integration: Senior living communities in urban environments provide proximity to family, culture, and educational opportunities, enhancing residents’ quality of life.
• Multigenerational Design: Including senior living components within larger multigenerational developments can minimize risk and appeal to a broader market.
• Hospitality-Based Amenities: Seniors increasingly expect hotel-quality amenities, from wellness facilities to gourmet dining experiences, and these elements are essential for attracting discerning residents.

We understand that senior living is about creating vibrant communities where residents can thrive socially, emotionally, and physically. Our designs foster connection, promote activity, and build a sense of togetherness, ensuring that senior living is not only a place to reside but a place to truly live.