1. Look for calming spaces with built-in ambience.
Shauna Revo, an associate principal/project design manager for StudioSIX5, says she is seeing increased use of external venues to take advantage of the outdoor air quality and truly use outdoor spaces as extra square footage.
“Connection to the outdoors is always a consideration when designing fitness, dining and social amenities,” she says.
Many spaces like these can be quickly transformed into outdoor venues to host speakers, bands and entertainment while residents comfortably view from safely arranged seating opportunities inside or out, she suggests.
Calming spaces can easily be created indoors, as Jim McLain, sales manager, Construction Specialties, attests. “Many designers are now incorporating graphics and high-end finishes to their wall surfaces in common areas to positively impact healing and emotional well-being,” he says.
2. Common areas are relatively low-cost targets to repurpose for a shuttered resident population.
“Senior living communities are becoming very flexible with their spaces during this pandemic,” observes Kwalu CEO Michael Zusman, who is seeing common areas once used for TV lounges transform into multipurpose spaces with smaller group settings within.
3. Consider ready-made oases that double as safe social spaces.
Many communities have amenity spaces scattered throughout their buildings such as chapels, fitness/wellness centers, art rooms and theaters — which Erin Berry Harps, director of interior design for Direct Supply Aptura, has identified as “perfect places to create multifunctional spaces for small groups of residents.”
Harps and her team have been exploring the idea of creating small household models within a building by breaking up resident wings into ecosystems that would allow well residents to cohort. “This would allow small groups of residents to interact and dine together, and would certainly help with feelings of isolation and boredom,” she adds.
4. Multifunctional furnishings can easily create multipurpose activity areas.
“Nice flip-top tables and stacking chairs that look like dining chairs is a great way to be able to reconfigure a room for different activities throughout the day,” adds Harps.
Also, designers suggest considering a large room that provides simple baking, food prep and storage as a kitchenette during mealtimes, and a wet station for messy activities (such as painting, gardening and ceramics) during other times.
5. Fast-tracking projects is easier than one might think.
For long-term care facilities in a hurry to make magic happen, the last thing they should sweat are armies of designers paying an actual visit.
Direct Supply Aptura, like many businesses, quickly adapted to nursing facility concerns.
“Our studio has become particularly adept at designing virtually,” says Harps. This allows the studio to marshal the right technology to access facility staff without needing to be in the facility itself, she notes.
For those facilities unable or too impatient to wait for custom furnishings, Zusman of Kwalu advises working with manufacturers that have quantities in stock.
6. The pandemic has taught everyone to adapt and stay flexible. Renovating is no different.
“Flexibility in programming and furniture designs is something operators can count on when modifying existing amenities,” says Revo, who adds that partitions, casters and large-scale modular sofas can create distance in a pinch.
“My advice would be to keep everything flexible and moveable,” adds Harps. “Permanent changes at this stage of the pandemic should be well thought out, with a sustainable pivot in mind.”
7. Keep it safe and clean.
As Zusman warns, “The best tip for cleaning and sanitizing repurposed spaces in senior living is to make sure the right furniture is being used in those spaces. Think solid, non-wood materials for easily cleanable surfaces.”
Revo believes creating areas for safe visitation with loved ones cannot be overlooked. “Shuttered common areas or unused residential units located near entries can be repurposed to allow for socialization at a safe distance while limiting potential interaction between visitors and the rest of the community,” she adds.
Moving forward, StudioSIX5 continues exploring opportunities to integrate touch-free sanitation options into interior architecture and furniture. The goal: “Integrate the safety of sanitation with technology to help keep communities clean, but maintain the aesthetic of a vibrant hospitality-like environment,” Revo says.
From the December 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
