At a Glance
Client: Home Leasing and Episcopal Senior Life Communities (ESLC)
Project: The Gardens at Penfield Square
Objective: Design an affordable senior housing community that provides a continuum of care, enabling residents to age in place.
Impact: Addresses the critical need for affordable senior housing in the Penfield area while providing services to help residents maintain their health and independence.
Capabilities Engaged
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Structural Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
- Master Planning
- Hospitality Design
- Memory Care
- Dignified Senior Living
Project Overview
Recognizing a gap in housing options for seniors with moderate incomes and increased need for services, Home Leasing and Episcopal Senior Life Communities (ESLC) envisioned a community that would offer integrated care, enabling residents to age in place without relocating as their needs evolved. The campus offers independent living, supportive housing, assisted living, and memory care in a walkable, mixed-use community.
Challenge
- Walkable Community – Designing a senior living community within the newly implemented Mixed-Use Development District in the Town of Penfield, which was established to promote pedestrian-friendly communities.
- Continuum of Care – Creating a seamless transition between independent living, assisted living, and memory care.
- Quality Affordable Living – Ensuring affordability while maintaining high-quality services and layering in sustainable materials.
Approach
To meet the goals for this unique new mixed-use, complete community, SWBR developed a design strategy rooted in creating dignified homes for seniors that promote health and wellness.
- Design a Mixed-Use Community – Integrated a traditional village square design that includes housing and retail which promotes walkability and community engagement.
- Seamless Transitional Living – Connected affordable housing and assisted living facilities through enclosed walkways for seamless accessibility.
- Dignified living – Created affordable houses for seniors with onsite services and support to help them maintain their wellness and independence.
What We Did
Created a desirable senior community that addresses the need for affordable housing while balancing independence with support.
- Designed a mixed-use senior community – The Gardens at Penfield Square, managed by Home Leasing, is a 114-apartment affordable housing community, 40 of which are designated for permanent supportive housing. Ashley Woods at Penfield Square, managed by ESLC, is a 70-unit assisted living facility with memory care services.
- Promote health and wellness – Created a pedestrian-friendly campus with bicycle pathways, outdoor dining areas, and connectivity to future town developments and the adjacent YMCA.
- Integrated continuum of care – Including 24-hour healthcare staff, on-site medical services, and personal care assistance.
- Created a seamless connection throughout Penfield Square – Linking independent living, assisted living, and memory care to form a complete senior community.
The Impact
The Gardens at Penfield Square ensures a seamless transition between different senior living levels, offering residents stability and personalized care as their needs evolve.
By providing integrated healthcare services and community-focused design, the development enhances residents’ independence and quality of life while addressing the critical need for affordable senior housing.