Environments for Aging - Fall 2016 - 68

ADVERTORIAL

Q&A

with Ruth Neeman, AIA
Principal, Senior Environments
Studio, Levi+Wong Design
Associates
Describe your business
in one sentence.
We are a passionate
group of architects,
interior designers,
landscape architects
and planners who
believe quality design,
service, innovation, and
teamwork, can improve
the quality of life in the
communities where we
live and work.
How has your company
evolved over the
years?
We have been at
the forefront of new
community living models
and ongoing research.
We use our experience to
evaluate new trends, and
assess their suitability
for our clients needs.
We actively support
the resident centered
design movement by
participating in teaching,
task forces, and

committees, by developing
tools to incorporate an
owner's and operator's
philosophy, and by
designing environments
that accommodate
engagement,
independence, choice, and
dignity.
To aid in the design
process and to improve
communication we have
fully integrated a 3D
Virtual Design Process
(3D visualizations,
live walkthroughs and
movies) that enhances
transparency and greater
understanding of the
design from the beginning
of a project.
What do you
consider the biggest
misconception about
designing spaces for
seniors?
We view it as our mission
to dispel the notion that
designing for seniors is

Rosie Terella, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP BD+C, Director of Interior Design; Tom Levi, AIA,
President; and Ruth Neeman, AIA, Principal, Senior Environments Studio

different from designing
for any other community.
Numerous projects for
seniors derive from
stereotypes of older
people, resulting in
buildings filled with
generic spaces that do
not support meaningful
programs.
A clear project
approach that expresses
the vision, mission, brand
and ideals of the provider
and is enhanced with
meaningful engagement,
moments of delight,
natural light, pleasing
color and material
palettes all contribute to
quality environments. We
design for contemporary
senior people and their
home.
What are some
challenges your firm
is facing? How do
you overcome those
obstacles?
One challenge is
assembling the correct
stakeholders and

The Gables at Winchester

operations teams early
in the design process -
people who are interested
in new or improved
approaches to senior
environments. We seek to
inform our clients, work
with them to develop their
vision, and form a lasting
partnership.
We see opportunity
for a greater overlap of
Independent and assisted
living into communities
based around affinity,
purpose, and choice,
with a stronger focus on
engagement, programs
and clubs, while building
a community that shares
its offerings with the
communities surrounding
it.
We look for clients with
a mission with which we
can identify. Our Senior
Environments studio team
focuses exclusively on
designing environments
that improve the quality of
seniors' lives.

www.LWDA.com
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Environments for Aging - Fall 2016

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