By Nicole Bergquist, NCIDQ, EDAC and Meredith Driscoll / Blueprints for Senior Living newsletter, May 2017
The Design Department at Sunrise Senior Living strives to champion the quality of life for all seniors. Their passion for the company’s mission statement is evident throughout their work at Sunrise of Dublin. Every detail of the building is designed with the aging population in mind. Well-proportioned rooms for both large and intimate gatherings within public spaces, specially curated artwork provides visual memory cues to assist with wayfinding and spark conversation, and an overall warmth emanates from the brightly colored fabric and finish selections. The combination of ADA accessibility with residential design aesthetics create the perfect marriage of form and function.
The bistro, off to the right of the main entrance of the building, features a 34 inch high ADA accessible bar that is set-up for residents to have access to water, coffee, juice, and snacks between meal times. While independent use of the space is encouraged, the space planning allows for proximity to the concierge desk, resident care offices, and the commercial kitchen in order, for quick and easy access to assistance when needed. A three dimensional collage of ceramic plates, inspired by residential design, decorates an accent wall in the bistro. The rich, warm tone finishes invite residents to linger longer in the public spaces and enjoy the company of others. The bistro is one of Sunrise Senior Living's signature areas and it exemplifies the combination of form and function to create a home like atmosphere in a commercial setting.
In the living room off to the left of the main entrance a variety of seating options encourage gatherings of residents, friends, and families. A sofa with two upholstered chairs placed before a large entertainment center are perfect for watching television. A smaller grouping of three upholstered chairs allow for casual conversation. A small game table with arm chairs surrounding it provide space for residents to play cards or work on a puzzle.
At the end of each corridor, small break out spaces are designed with specific activities in mind, from quietly reading a book to an afternoon tea party. Throughout the building, seating provides a residential look with senior friendly scale and function. Cushion firmness, arm heights of approximately 25 inch, seat heights at approximately 19 inch, and seat depths of no more than 22 inch were carefully considered for each piece, to allow maximum comfort and independence for residents. The overall attention to detail in the furniture selections allow residents with varying levels of acuity to maneuver in and out of seating on their own, promoting independence and socialization with other residents, families, and care givers.
Warm wood toned cabinetry in the assisted living neighborhoods, and painted cream cabinetry in the memory care neighborhoods, provide the look and feel of a residential kitchen. The cabinetry selections, combined with antimicrobial quartz countertops, commercial grade under counter refrigerators, and dishwashers provide an overall residential style space with high performance, commercial grade function where necessary.
To provide the ultimate finishing touch, the artwork throughout this Ohio based community has been specifically curated by Sunrise’s Design Department and the art consultant to include an emphasis on local artisans and nearby landmarks. In the bistro, adjacent to the collage of ceramic plates, two postcards from the early 1900's feature sepia colored sketches of iconic buildings at The Ohio State University, located just 10 miles from Sunrise of Dublin. The postcards are framed with a dark wood and identified with brass plaques. Such imagery can evoke memories that spark conversation between residents, family members, and caregivers. Artwork calls each of us to connect to each other through our past and be present in ways that words alone often struggle to do. These connections foster conversations, bringing to life an animation in residents that may previously have been suppressed.
The Sunrise Senior Living Design Department strives to provide art that evokes a personal connection for the residents at each community they design. When appropriate to its surroundings, art is one of the greatest marriages of form and function. The combination of attention to detail, throughout each design selection from millwork finish to upholstery, to scale and finally the art selection, provides a safe, support environment that feels like home for the residents of Sunrise of Dublin.
*All photos are owned by Sunrise Senior Living.
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About the team
Top left, Sunrise Senior Design Director: Andrea Owensby; Top right, Sunrise Design Manager: Joan Bueno; Center, Sunrise of Dublin Lead Designer: Kelly Wilson; Bottom left, Article Co-Author and Sunrise Design Director of Capital Expenditure: Nicole Bergquist and Bottom right, Article Co-Author and Sunrise Design Manager: Meredith Driscoll
Sunrise Senior Living’s Design team is dedicated to creating safe, comfortable and inviting living spaces for our senior residents, their families and guests. All members of the Design team have earned a degree in interior design at an accredited university, with many also completing graduate degrees and certifications that further their understanding of interior design for the aging population. With a dynamic team of designers, planners, and processors, Sunrise’s Design team has over 100 years of combined experience in senior living design. Championing the quality of life for all seniors is at the heart of the work they do every day.