The changing trends in Senior’s housingBack to News

Don Jacobs FAIA, President JZMK Architects shares his thoughts on Senior’s housing. For over two decades, Don has served as the principal in charge of numerous award winning projects. Don’s work is published in a variety of international architectural magazines and books. He has been invited to speak in Poland and China and is currently working on projects in 10 different countries. Don speaks extensively on high density and senior housing at a number of conventions including the ULI, NAHB, PCBC, NCOSH, and Multi-Housing World Convention.

How long has JZMK been designing senior housing?

The first senior housing projects for the firm started in the ’70’s and were active adult apartments for mostly single women living on limited fixed incomes. They were usually 80 to 100 units, within a city that had transportation and medical facilities nearby. We designed over 30 of these communities throughout California and Nevada, improving and fine tuning the design each time they were built. In the late ’80’s we started our first Del Webb project and worked on most of their Sun City communities throughout the West.

What changes have you seen in the approach to senior housing in that time?

New communities on the scale of Del Webb’s early Sun City’s are just not sustainable any longer. We see a much more sophisticated approach to the senior community in preparation for the retiring Boomers. Golf courses, once considered a necessity, are no longer the driving force.The other area of change has been the growth of the CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community.) CCRC’s allow people to live in an active adult community in a campus like setting. As they age and need higher levels of care they can move into the appropriate facility on the campus, thereby staying within the community and close to their friends.

The affordable apartment communities that we designed years ago appealed to people in the 55 to 65 age category and had second story apartments with no elevator, just stairs. Now that same type of community is attracting residents from the high 60’s age group which means elevators are a necessity.

What are the most important aspects of design for the senior market?

Again, this is changing. The Eisenhower generation had different expectations than the current baby boomers. The one constant is a desire for community and of course, security. Other constants are single level living, universal design, location, lifestyle, (think resort living,) and proximity to medical facilities. The last one becomes more important as the residents age.

Another important factor that is changing is the integration of the senior community with the existing or planned market rate community. As planners and architects we have come up with some unique ways to meld the two rather than have a “gated senior ghetto.” A true community should extend beyond the area where the seniors have their homes.

Where do you think senior housing will be headed in the years ahead given the Baby Boomer generation retiring in unprecedented numbers?

I believe we are going to see all kinds of niche market opportunities for senior communities. Certainly the urban senior community will continue to gain in popularity. We have already seen some communities that are specific to a co-op type of living arrangement, artist communities, former film and television worker’s communities, gay communities and even “alumnae” communities built on or near the campus. The UK even has senior communities aimed at garden lovers.

What about location of senior projects, is there a shift of emphasis?

Yes, while they may be known for wanting it “their way” they still want to be close to their children and/or grandchildren. There will be fewer communities built beyond the suburbs and more that are a part of existing suburbs and urban edge conditions. Ideal locations are those that are close to the communities in which they already live. Where they have roots in the community.

What facilities should be included?

The Boomer has always been very active and will continue to be. Facilities that address that are essential. In surveys, walking is always at the top of the list of preferred outdoor activities. The great thing is that it can be a part of the open space and landscaping, which adds to the beauty of the community. The necessary clubhouse needs to be designed to fit the specific market the housing is aimed at. Most of all it should function to truly foster a sense of community.

Do you see a major opportunity for senior specific product segmentation in the future?

Definitely, here is where the principles of new urbanism can really make a difference in community planning and design. With the seniors desire for community, walking and transportation, combined with mixed income segments, we can create communities where everyone will want to live. This is not an easy task or one that can be done by formula planning but there are great examples in our Country that can be studied for what to do and what not to do. Combined with good market research for the particular area I believe this is one of the greatest and most challenging opportunities in senior housing today.