Design for Aging

The Role of Landscape Design in Creating Healthy Senior Living Environments

Hosted by the Design for Aging Knowledge Community on October 21, 2025.

Description 

Nestled in the heart of McLean, Virginia, the 2.23-acre Sunrise McLean Village community offers a homelike living environment for seniors who desire to age in place. During this presentation, the project’s landscape architect and executive director will review the site planning, design, and construction of the outdoor spaces at Sunrise McLean Village. Participants will hear about the post-occupancy evaluation conducted, comparing the project’s stated design goals against the outcomes to assess how the outdoor environment functions for both residents and staff. Additionally, the presenters will highlight successes and suggestions for improvements to implement in senior living communities.

Learning Objectives

• Explore how landscape design in senior living communities can positively impact the health and well-being of seniors through spaces of distinctive characters.
• Explore the results of a post-occupancy evaluation and learn best practices from the operator’s perspective that affect the community welfare, health, and safety.
• Learn how holistic site planning promotes public, staff, and resident welfare.
• Learn how to create positive health outcomes through exterior landscape design in senior living communities. 

Speakers

Connie Fan, FASLA

A Fellow with the American Society of Landscape Architects, Connie was trained in both architecture and landscape architecture. Her design work focuses on place making that reflects the cultural, environmental, and architectural surroundings of the land. A frequent recipient of ASLA awards, Connie's designs create beautiful, memorable places, as well as enhancing real estate value. A certified healthcare garden designer, she is passionate about creating natural spaces with special features that have positive effects on human’s health and restore peace and balance. Connie is a LEED AP, a Certified Arborist, focusing on sustainable site initiatives and smart growth.

Maureen Davis

Maureen is the Executive Director at the newly opened Sunrise McLean Village, overseeing operations including occupancy, care, and other amenities. Maureen feels enthusiastic about finding innovative ways to increase residents’ capabilities so they can lead richer lives as they age. She graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Health Services Administration and Minor in Business and George Mason University with an M.S. in Health Sciences Management with a concentration in Gerontology.