Environments for Aging - Winter 2021 - 72

design outlook
Aiming big
Brian Coltrane of E4H Environments for Health Architecture
discusses the Residences at Kenilworth by Anne DiNardo
S
CHEDULED TO OPEN in 2022, the 157unit
Residences at Kenilworth Park in
Washington, D.C., is on a mission to address
a shortage of aff ordable senior housing
in the area while embracing the benefi
ts of pedestrian-oriented design and achieving
LEED certifi cation. Here, Brian Coltrane, associate
partner at E4H Environments for Health Architecture
(Chantilly, Va.), the architecture and interior
design fi rm on the project, shares how these goals
defi ned the design approach and how growing demand
for more aff ordable models will drive future
changes in the industry.
How did the goal to deliver aff ordable
senior housing infl uence the design?
Th is project is designed and appointed as though it's
a market-rate assisted living facility. What makes it
affordable are the public policies that incentivize
developers to build this type of facility in an urban
environment with a high cost of living. Th e client's
primary goal was to construct a modern building
with a focus on longevity. We selected FF&E that
would stand up to the test of time and incorporated
aspects of sustainable design to reduce operating
costs and support the goal of long-term investment.
What's the key to making senior living
not just aff ordable but sustainable?
From an architectural standpoint, designing for
longevity generally goes hand-in-hand with sustainability,
such as furniture that can withstand
heavy use and fi nishes that can hold up to abrasive
cleaning products. Reducing energy costs helps
lower operating costs, which improves aff ordability.
Overall, the mechanism that fosters aff ordability
is public policy. In this case, there's a tax-credit program
to help fi nance construction.
How do you defi ne transit-oriented
design, and how is it delivered here?
It emphasizes pedestrian-oriented communities
with mixed-use buildings that provide easier
connections to medical care, groceries, and public
transit. Th e Residences at Kenilworth features
access to the DC Metro and bus system, and a
pedestrian boardwalk connects to a bike trail/
pedestrian pathway. We also partially concealed
the parking area to foster a more pedestrian-friendly
environment.
Where do you see the industry
heading next?
Lack of assisted living facilities forces hospitals and
nursing homes to keep patients in beds for longer,
creating a bottleneck. Assisted living communities
are cheaper to operate than nursing homes, and
you get better outcomes. We'll likely see other
jurisdictions establish incentives to make this
model more aff ordable. Architecturally, situating
these projects near amenities allows people to
live closer to their communities and improves
outcomes for all.
72 | winter 2021
efamagazine.com
E4H ENVIRONMENTS FOR HEALTH ARCHITECTURE
http://www.efamagazine.com
Environments for Aging - Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Environments for Aging - Winter 2021
