ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN IN ASSISTED LIVING

 

AVANTI SENIOR LIVING REDEFINING AESTHETICS FOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN IN ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, October 22, 2014: With construction of its newest communities, Avanti at Towne Lake, Avanti at Flower Mound and Avanti at Vision Park, about to begin or already underway, Avanti Senior Living is employing an innovative approach to redefine the look and feel of an assisted living and memory care community. Avanti founders, CEO Tim Hekker and COO Lori Juneau-Alford, are leveraging their 50-plus years of senior living experience along with the expertise of PRDG, a leading senior housing architectural firm, to bring their unique vision to life. Avanti is creating communities that exceed the needs and expectations of future residents, their family members and the team members who will serve them. Avanti senior living communities will be sophisticated and luxurious in design, much like a refined, boutique-style hotel. The design projects timeless hospitality and emphasizes a relaxed and uplifting culture.

“The entrance to each community will be dramatic with unique light fixtures and a 20-foot raised wooden ceiling that expands across the foyer and extends to a hip coffee and wine bar/lounge, backlit with warm accent lighting, reminiscent of a ritzy hotel lounge,” said Juneau-Alford. “Our intention is for this to be an area where residents will visit with their families and friends. Throughout the community, we are maximizing the use of natural light by incorporating a myriad of windows which serve as picturesque glimpses into other areas as well, both indoor and outdoor to provide varying perspectives. There are short distances to resident destinations to enable easy navigation throughout the community.”

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The layout of the community will give the residents easy access to various destinations, including a state-of-the-art wellness center with a ballet bar and fitness equipment, a theater and a full service salon and spa offering relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, deep tissue massage, hair styling and manicures/pedicures. The medical suite will feature designated areas for visiting doctors or utilize the telehealth technology, along with a private exam room where medical personnel can meet with the residents. A fully-functional art studio with high ceilings and a stone wall for the residents to display artwork will evoke a cultured, stimulating ambiance that promotes the residents’ imagination and creative spirit in a space that provides a positive sensory experience.

“Community features and amenities will function as focal points at the end of each hallway, such as the wellness suite, the art studio or an expansive window overlooking a courtyard,” said Ben Howell, project manager for PRDG. “These focal points serve as visual stimulation and assist with wayfinding. The wellness suite is the pivot point for the entire community with windows so people can see activity happening both in and out of the common spaces. The five courtyards provide pleasing paths for residents to travel while moving throughout the community. Each courtyard allows residents to experience the outdoors in a different way.  Some of the courtyards will serve as additional dining venues or spaces for recreational activities. Some of the resident suites feature patios that open up to the courtyards to add to the character of the suites.”

Each community will provide 90-150 one and two-bedroom spacious suites that maximize living space. The suites will boast posh carpets, wood flooring, expansive windows, walk-in-closets, oversized showers, stone countertops, upgraded finishing on plumbing, appliances, and other household features, expansive counter space and storage space, and other signature features. Avanti’s goal is to combine luxurious finishes with high functionality and safety.

Cutting-edge technology is a key component of the design as well. Avanti will systematically place device charging stations and outlets in common areas to ensure that residents and guests can conveniently charge their Avanti customized electronic device. In addition, the RFID keyless entries will allow residents to enter and exit their suites without worrying about carrying their keys.

“We are excited to pioneer a whole new concept for assisted living and memory care by combining technology, quality care and innovative design,” said Hekker. “Our goal is to build and manage communities where residents live with independence, choice and endless opportunities to socialize. The design is critical in helping us achieve our goals.”

Avanti’s memory care, called Salize, will create a climate that is conducive to serenity at every level. This area is purposefully designed with open spaces, short, easy-to-see walkways and an abundance of natural light, so residents do not feel overwhelmed or challenged by hidden corridors. The simulated lighting helps cue residents to phases of the day and highlights common household areas. In their specialized memory care neighborhood, residents will have their own dining area, theater, salon and other amenities.

“Our team members are also treated to stylish and comfortable amenities within the deluxe team member lounge. From bean bags to charging stations, we want our team members to love their area and know they are appreciated,” said Juneau-Alford. “We purposefully have the team lounge up front, connected to the management offices, so employees can take breaks in the heart of the community, instead of being tucked away in a corner with subpar finishing. The lounge will be fun and welcoming, just as our team members deserve.”

“Avanti Senior Living is open to new ideas and they bring creative thoughts to us that are definitely cutting-edge,” said Paul Donaldson, managing principal of PRDG, a senior housing architect company. “Our work has a direct impact on the people we serve, and providing exemplary care to seniors has significant purpose. While they are veterans in the senior living industry, Avanti is not afraid to challenge the traditional mindset on design, services and culture. They are unquestionably the most forward-thinking client we have. We are working together as an innovative team, and take pride in providing inspiring places to live in and work. Avanti is truly bringing a fresh perspective, and ingenious approach to senior living.”

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ABOUT AVANTI SENIOR LIVING

Avanti Senior Living owns, develops and operates senior living communities. Avanti was launched in 2013 and is committed to redefining senior housing through forward-thinking design, inspiring and innovative culture and state-of-the-art technology. The company is based in The Woodlands, Texas. CEO Tim Hekker and COO Lori Juneau-Alford founded the company with their combined 50-plus years of experience. Avanti’s vision focuses on creating a culture that emphasizes personal choice and control to preserve resident dignity, while delivering world-class care and support and inspirational experiences.

Avanti senior living communities will initially be built in Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Then, the company will move into other markets nationwide. Each community will have 90-150 one and two- bedroom suites. Their vision is to fundamentally redefine the customer service experience for assisted living and memory care by providing a quality of life that embraces a holistic lifestyle filled with choice. Each Avanti community features resort-style activities and entertainment options boasting a stylish design, five beautiful courtyards, a true art studio, an exercise room with a ballet bar, a theater and a full-service salon and spa, a nail bar and hair services and multiple destination locations.

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