EUA:ELEVATES | October 2020

October 2020

SENIOR LIVING
ELEVATES

senior living : architecture : planning : interior design

ELEVATES

ELEVATES is our senior living environment
outreach focused on showcasing our
latest designs and connecting you with
forward-thinking industry experts.

A MESSAGE FROM EUA

OUR RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

We recognize that our clients and partners are faced with many uncertainties and
change as the pandemic evolves. Our number one goal is to be there for our clients
offering the support, guidance and leadership that people expect from EUA.

With the residual impact and the changing needs of the market environments we
support—living, workplace, industrial, healthcare, science + technology, learning
and community—we continue to refine our approach, services and solutions. With
safety and well-being at the forefront of these industry sectors, we are researching,
innovating and sharing ideas on how we can deliver design solutions to support our
clients’ unique and evolving needs.

Our design experts are asking probing questions to achieve desired flexibility, quantify
capacities and assess technologies that deliver forward looking and high-performing
design solutions. At EUA, we are passionate about what we do. We believe that design
has the ability to elevate people’s potential. Now, more than ever, our pace
of innovation remains ready to serve our clients.

EXPERT INSIGHTS: JEFF ANDERZHON, FAIA

THE CHANGING SENIOR LIVING
DESIGN LANDSCAPE

Unless one has the foresight of Jules Verne, it is impossible to
predict the future. One thing is certain, however, when it comes
to senior living design: tomorrow’s design approaches will be
significantly altered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As designers, it is our duty to seriously consider how the built
environment can be in the forefront of infectious disease control
and prevention. While acute care environmental designers have
long been charged with attention to infection control, many
long-term senior living designers have either not considered or
have simply ignored elements of building design that can serve
to protect one of our most vulnerable population segments from
the introduction of disease into their congregate homes.

Read the full blog at: eua.com/SeniorLivingLandscape

EXPERT INSIGHTS: KURT PETERSON

GUIDING SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES
THROUGH THE NOW, NEAR AND FAR
OF COVID-19

It has been 50 years since Grover’s “Near and Far” skit first aired on PBS with Jim Henson
as the voice of Grover. The skit is a classic Sesame Street routine that involves Grover
running back and forth demonstrating the difference between “near” and “far.”

Jim Hackett’s “now, near and far” concept most likely isn’t an adaption of the skit but
his idea resonated with me. As the President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, his basic
premise is that organizations need to act simultaneously on three-time frames: Now,
Near and Far.

How does this apply to Senior Care?

NOW: The main goal is to protect residents and staff from illness and provide food, care
and support during overwhelming times. An overall goal is to successfully stabilize allowing
the opportunity to “lift your gaze” to the NEAR and the FAR aspects of your facilities.

NEAR: Over the past few weeks some of our client’s organizations have begun to look
beyond the NOW. Thoughts are turning to rethinking design, controls and processes to
bolster infection control (for COVID-19 but also for instances such as the annual fall flu).
Experts are also rethinking technology and ways residents can stay connected to loved ones
through the current and any potential future crisis.

The pivot is grounded in the fact that two of every three senior living properties were
constructed before the year 2000. Twenty-year-old facilities are due for renovations and
the COVID-19 crisis brought this to the forefront.

However, there are opportunities. A recent NIC Executive Survey indicated that this might
be an opportunity to mitigate the labor shortfall within the industry. Senior Living Executives
shared that 41% expected no change in their development pipeline. 25% saw a decrease
and 18% felt they would increase their project pipeline.

FAR: There is no stopping the need for senior facilities. The Census Bureau estimates that 1
of 5 Americans will be retirement age in 2030. Time does not stand still, and care solutions
will need to be provided. It is impossible to predict the future, but one thing is certain:
tomorrow’s senior living design approaches will be significantly altered as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic.

We are helping our clients to continue operations in the “now” while we work to give them
options for the “near” and the “far.” What steps are you taking to ensure safety for your
residents and staff in the now? When this pandemic subsides, how do you see your senior
living facility changing for the near and far? Send me a message or email, I would love to
talk through your organization’s design solutions.

KURT PETERSON
Project Development

eua.com/KurtP
[email protected]
608.405.8121

EUA SPOTLIGHT

DA N S C H I N D H E L M AIA
Project Manager

eua.com/DanS
[email protected]
414.298.2283

: @DanS_EUA
I have always had an interest in the accessibility of others. Early in my career I became
a licensed athletic trainer, but found I had more interest in creating environments that
could be accessible by all rather than working one-on-one. This background has helped
me better understand the needs of different living environments, that cater to a broad
spectrum of mobility, so people can come together to enjoy each other.

C H A R L I E R O B E R T S O N AIA, CDT
Project Manager

eua.com/CharlieR
[email protected]
414.291.8169

I love working on retirement communities; it’s easy to be enthusiastic and passionate about
creating awesome places where seniors can live better, longer and more independently.
I genuinely care about the people our buildings serve and hearing residents’ stories
and seeing them in their new homes is truly a rewarding experience. In my role, I juggle
thousands of decisions to make the project the best it can be for owners and their residents.

J E F F A N D E R Z H O N FAIA
Senior Planner + Design Architect

eua.com/JeffA
[email protected]
414.291.8148

: @JeffA_EUA
As a Senior Planner and Design Architect, I provide leadership to the design team, helping
bring our client’s dreams to life. From my years spent in the Senior Living Market, I have
found that my favorite professional moments are working directly with clients to create
environments that truly make a difference in the lives of their residents.

OKLAHOMA METHODIST MANOR
EUA helped OMM imagine a new entry courtyard featuring a flagship apartment residence for independent living,
assisted living and memory-support assisted living that integrated a new wellness center, chapel, community
meeting center and repurposed a skilled nursing residence for a rejuvenated campus master plan. EUA’s solution
resulted in a fully connected continuing care retirement community that provides a full spectrum of lifestyle
choices and life-enhancing wellness and health care services for residents. For the flagship, EUA was able to
construct a solution that exceeded initial program expectations while saving the owner millions of dollars.

To learn more, visit: eua.com/OMM

EXPERT INSIGHTS

5 OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE

LOBBY DESIGN IN
RESPONSE TO PANDEMICS

Employee Well-Being: As we consider re-designing our existing spaces and plan for
future projects, it is important to begin with understanding the WELL Building Standard. This
building rating system is focused on how buildings can positively influence the health of
people who work, live, learn and heal within them. Strategies that can be applied to existing
and new lobby designs include: ventilation effectiveness + enhanced ventilation, operable
windows, pollution infiltration management, air filtration, microbe + mold control,
hand-washing efficiencies and enhanced daylight access.

1. ENTRY VESTIBULES
The entry vestibule serves as the first point of contact as residents, employees and visitors
enter a building. A vestibule can be viewed as an ‘anteroom,’ a program element often
used in healthcare design, to provide a buffer between two rooms controlling air flow,
movement and the passage of contaminants.

2. LOBBY DESKS
The concept of a lobby desk exists in every place type. It is the place a guest goes to
check-in whether at a hospital, school, senior living facility, apartment building or office.
Although desks may vary in function or design, all desks pose a risk of spreading germs
through the touching of surfaces and proximity of people.

3. SEATING AREAS
Nearly all built environments provide a seating area adjacent to the main entry. Depending
on the place type, these areas can have their own unique look. One consistent factor in these
spaces is that they provide a comfortable setting where people can engage and interact.

4. PUBLIC RESTROOMS
Public restrooms are one of the most prolific spots for the spread of germs. Under normal
circumstances this is true, but when discussed at the scale of a world-wide pandemic this
issue becomes exacerbated. Restrooms also present an interesting issue of balancing
sustainability with a high level of sanitation.

5. VERTICAL CIRCULATION
Arguably the most difficult concept to master during a pandemic is circulation. As creatures
of habit, once a routine is learned it is difficult to change it.

Read the full blog at: eua.com/PostPandemicLobbyDesign

EXPERT INSIGHTS: JEFF ANDERZHON, FAIA

LONELINESS FOR THE ELDERLY
IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC

Regardless of pandemics, isolation and loneliness can be a
part of everyday life for the elderly and can have devastating
effects on their physical and emotional health. Read on to see
how architecture and design can help combat loneliness in our
elderly population.

Read the full blog at: eua.com/Loneliness

J E F F A N D E R Z H O N FAIA
Senior Planner + Design Architect

eua.com/JeffA
[email protected]
414.291.8148

: @JeffA_EUA



EXPERT INSIGHTS: PAUL STEFANSKI, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP

RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR FUTURE HEALTH
FACILITY DESIGN

As we look ahead to a post-COVID-19 world, or at least one in
which we have a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, we know that
unfortunately we will not be “post-pandemic.” Our instincts are
therefore to think about how to design for the next pandemic.
We also know, however, that healthcare facility design must
balance a number of factors, including infection prevention and
clinical best practices, but also patient and staff experience,
reimbursement structures, and cost, to name just a few.

Read the full blog at: eua.com/FutureHealthcareFacilityDesign

PAU L S T E FA N S K I AIA, EDAC, LEED AP
Healthcare Studio Director

eua.com/PaulS
[email protected]
414.291.8198

PRESENTATION: DAN SCHINDHELM + ROBIN ANDERSON

LEAN LED DESIGN
FOR SENIOR LIVING

Are you looking for ways to improve your processes, space and
customer satisfaction? How do you design a space to be flexible and
useable for many years to come? How can you do more with less?

Allow Dan Schindhelm, AIA, and Robin Anderson, AIA, Lean
Specialist, to walk you through the importance of Lean led design
in Senior Living communities.

Lean led design enables you to maximize your customer’s value
and minimize waste; creating more value with fewer resources.
By talking through the process, you will understand the terms,
concepts, tools and benefits to Lean led design. Dan and Robin will
share specific Lean led senior living examples to demonstrate the
effects that successfully implementing Lean led design can have for
your employees, customers and bottom line.

Contact Dan Schindhelm today to set up a time to discuss Lead led design and how it can add value to
your Senior Living community.

DA N S C H I N D H E L M AIA
Project Manager

eua.com/DanS
[email protected]
414.298.2283

: @DanS_EUA
R O B I N A N D E R S O N AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Lean Specialist : Senior Project Architect

eua.com/RobinA
[email protected]
414.291.8180

: @RobinA_EUA

SCOTT KINDNESS
Living Environment Studio Director
[email protected] | 414.298.2281

333 E Chicago Street | Milwaukee, WI 53202

eua.com

milwaukee : madison : denver