Environments for Aging - Spring 2022 - 16

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q & a
PLACEMAKING FOR ACTIVE ADULTS
Interior spaces at the Caramella
Ranch Clubhouse were designed to
aid placemaking by maximizing views
and create flexibility and versatility.
design elements to maximize the natural light
and capture the showstopping mountain views,
creating a welcoming space for active retirees
with multifaceted lifestyles. We worked with the
land developer and landscape architect from the
beginning to create a memorable space and activate
the natural landscape and build location.
T
HE CARAMELLA RANCH Clubhouse,
part of the Caramella Ranch 55+ active
adult community in Reno, Nev., is a site
informed by the majesty of the Sierra
Nevada mountain range and the energy
of nearby city life. The 14,000-square-foot clubhouse
features an indoor lap pool, spa, weight
and cardio room, aerobics and fitness center,
and formal lounge to entertain, as well as outdoor
spaces for gathering and fitness.
The design, provided by Unscripted Interior
Design (Centennial, Colo.), focuses heavily on
providing multiple engagement opportunities
for residents while also encouraging fitness and
activity. DesignWell, part of the Design Group
at Emerald with Environments for Aging, recently
spoke with Unscripted Interior Design
on its design process for the space and what
inspirations influenced the approach. Here is
the conversation with Kari Armstrong, CEO of
statistic
85.7%
16 | spring 2022
Occupancy rate of continuing care retirement communities
in the fourth quarter of 2021, up 1.4 percentage points from a
pandemic low seen in the first two quarters of the year.
SOURCE: ZIEGLER INVESTMENT BANKING'S SENIOR LIVING FINANCE Z-NEWS, PUBLISHED JAN. 31, 2022
Unscripted Interior Design, Svendja Wypyszyk,
director of commercial design, and Alyse Hages,
interior designer on the project.
DesignWell: What was the inspiration behind
the placemaking efforts here?
Svendja Wypyszyk: Looking into active workspaces
for inspiration helped us to understand
how we could give residents a space they can
both connect and relax in. We wanted each
area of the building to feel comfortable regardless
of if there was one resident or 20. Flexibility
and versatility of space was key.
Were there any specific goals that the clients
had in mind when designing this space? How
was the team able to address them?
Alyse Hages: With the soaring ranges of the Sierra
Nevada mountains to one side and the illuminated
cityscape of Reno to the other, we wanted
Kari Armstrong: There were a couple revisions
of design that did happen along the way as the
client understood their changing demographic
and the needs for the community. This meant
integrating more technology and flexibility in
the space. We were able to accomplish this by
introducing more areas for work such as powered
tables and chairs as well as offering seating
groups that provided more privacy.
How did you select the artwork for the space?
Wypyszyk: This is a space that was designed
with a lot of procured art in mind. In creating
a space geared for the younger retiree with an
active lifestyle we used artful placemaking to
inspire throughout the property. You'll find
pieces everywhere from the stairwell to locker
rooms, invoking a sense of playfulness that invites
you to have a little bit of fun.-Nick Boever,
editor, DesignWell
For the full Q+A, visit efamagazine.com/trends/
placemaking.
efamagazine.com
TOLL BROTHERS INC.

http://www.efamagazine.com/trends/placemaking http://www.efamagazine.com

Environments for Aging - Spring 2022

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