Senior living providers across the country continue to look for opportunities to elevate the senior living experience so their residents can live in style. And every spring EFA Magazine celebrates these community success stories and the best in senior living design with its EFA Design Showcase issue. This year, Stevenson Oaks, a Methodist Retirement Community (MRC) in Fort Worth, Texas was recognized as a Finalist in this esteemed awards program.
MRC worked with AG Architecture and Studio 121 (interior design) to create a community that leverages their organization’s 60 years of senior living experience—“the perfect blend of longevity and innovation to create a community culture that stands apart.”
The master plan for Stevenson Oaks provided the team with the opportunity to design with an intergenerational mindset by integrating an enticing senior living community within a new, vibrant mixed use neighborhood development. This thoughtful connection was intended to inspire healthy living and encourage active aging while reinforcing connectivity and fostering relationships.
Maximizing connectivity and creating a one, big happy family atmosphere was important throughout the design of the community at every level of care. This was achieved in several ways. First and foremost, access to the outdoors was prioritized. Each building is organized around a series of landscaped courtyards where activity and connectivity are encouraged. Dining venues, a pool, and areas for outdoor games make each a distinct destination. Furthermore, the Texas Hill Country design aesthetic and thoughtful space planning provide a welcoming atmosphere with passive and active spaces to encourage gathering or have opportunities for more privacy with ample views to enjoy and stay connected to the active community life.
A noteworthy space planning element was the integration of a distinct service corridor to create efficient and discreet back-of-house services. It was developed as a spine running from east to west connecting the main kitchen to the service kitchen areas for the memory support and assisted living components. This solution was intended to improve the work experience for staff while maintaining a hospitality-inspired front-of-house atmosphere for residents.
This thoughtful planning supports the community’s goal of elevating the dining experience at every level of care. The design team took great care to create dining spaces that engage all five senses—spaces that give residents and guests a sense of purpose and encourage a continued passion for growth. Each venue was designed to enhance resident and staff engagement.
From being located within a mixed use development and having strong indoor/outdoor connections integrated at every level of care to a variety of notable design elements, the judges had many positive comments about this project. Award-worthy industry recognition is one level of confirmation that project goals and design intent have raised the bar on the senior living experience. More importantly, the question is—What do the residents think? And, how is the community supporting marketing and operations goals as well as the staff work experience?
The AG Team reached out to Executive Director Kristi Baird (KB) to learn how residents and staff are enjoying daily life at Stevenson Oaks.
AG: What were you most excited about when opening the doors of this community?
KB: Stevenson Oaks is a community built upon faith, relationships and purpose. I was the most excited about what the future would bring for those moving in. Seeing people come together, neighbors becoming friends and friends becoming family has been so fulfilling.
AG: What aspects of the community have stood out so far for residents and families?
KB: The beauty and art within the campus are favorite features, but the sense of belonging and community are the things people talk about most here.
AG: How does the staff feel about the flow and efficiency of the spaces? Do they find it to be an enjoyable work environment?
KB: They enjoy the work environment and are proud of it. The accessibility to resources helps them complete their tasks efficiently.
AG: What have been the most popular spaces in IL, AL and MS?
KB: In IL, it’s all about the Exchange! They love the expo kitchen and this is where we hold our social engagements.
In AL it’s the well-thought-out activity center on the 2nd floor. Residents from both AL and IL love the coziness of the space. It feels like an extension of their home.
In MS, it’s hands down the sunroom. The sunroom is so unique because it’s a feature you don’t find in a lot of Memory Support areas. It was intentional in its design and it overlooks a great garden space!
AG: Is there an aspect of the design or use of a particular space that has surprised you?
KB: I think what surprises me the most is the volume of activities and the engagement of all of our activity zones. They are heavily used! Our Residents love to run their own activities and book special events bringing in friends and family from outside of our community. They are proud to show their home off!
AG: Is there an amenity or a type of space that you wish had been part of the project program? Is this something you plan to add?
KB: Our community is extremely faith-based and social, so a Chapel is definitely a feature we are looking into. Due to the size of the community and demand, we also would benefit from a large multipurpose ballroom that can support our growing volumes.
AG: Elevating the dining experience across all levels of care was a priority for this project. How has the design supported this initiative?
KB: When you think of some of the best restaurants you think about the design of the space and how it makes you feel. Great people partnered with a beautiful space makes a wonderful dining experience.
AG: What adjectives have people been using to describe the community? Can you share a favorite comment you have received about life at Stevenson Oaks?
KB: Community, belonging, purpose, joy and hope are just some that come to mind. I had a resident once tell me that Stevenson Oaks was a Godsend. She had lost her husband and the will to live and this community brought her out of this dark place of despair. She isn’t lonely anymore and loves that through our faith programming, she is healing from such a big loss.
