Environments for Aging - Spring 2022 - 42

DESIGN SHOWCASE
AWARD OF MERIT
CREATIVE TOUCH
Th e design of Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community
supports a unique program shaped by its resident artists
THE 44,000SQUAREFOOT Tribby Arts Center
at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort
Myers, Fla., is the result of an idea hatched by
resident artists to support " ageless creativity. "
In fact, resident contributions to the specialized
amenity space funded 80 percent of the project,
which today brings together once-disparate art
and performance spaces on campus and adds
broader opportunities for entertainment and
socialization. Inside are multiple galleries and
artist studios (ranging from ceramics to photography
to quilting), a conference room, literary
lounge, and 400-seat auditorium. Th e project
was submitted to the Design Showcase as an interiors-only
project by Wegman Design Group
(Naples, Fla.). Th e fi rm's scope of work included
meeting with fi ve main resident artist groups
who helped guide how each space would function
and what types of fi nishes would be best
for each unique use-for example, cushioned
fl ooring for quilters who tend to stand for long
periods of time, north-facing windows to allow
natural light into the painting studio, and specialized
acoustic fi nishes in the music practice
rooms to direct and absorb sound. Here, Amber
Caton, design director at Wegman Design
Group, shares more insight on some of the design
details the jury applauded in this Award-ofMerit-winning
project.
Environments for Aging: Tell us how the concept
of " ageless creativity " shaped the design
philosophy for this project.
Amber Caton: The goal of the concept is to
demonstrate that creativity is neither limited
nor defi ned by age. Th e concept was conceived
by a resident and curator who believes this,
and that the honing of creative expression can
reach new heights when pursued without restriction.
Insight for the design philosophy begins
to form out of that perspective, to alleviate
restriction that residents might face as obstacles
to expression.
42 | spring 2022
Th e building supports numerous artist groups
and activities/practices. How did your team
work with the residents to ensure the project
would meet everyone's needs?
Working closely with the resident artists and
gathering information from the multiple art
studios were a key part of the programming
process. We started with data sheets to document
programming needs for each of the artist
groups. These data sheets included needs for
everything from cabinetry/storage, furnishings
and equipment, plumbing, lighting, and
workfl ow. We needed to understand how artists
use the space and ensure layout adjacencies
that allowed them to have the most functional
space possible for their very specifi c activities.
Lighting needs included specifi c light temperatures
(kelvin) and even the window exposure
requirements for each type of activity (northern
exposure for painting studio, and no windows
in photography studio). Each studio had two to
four representatives who met with the design
team and provided information and specifi cations
for their craft. Th e space planning for each
group was done across multiple meetings with
each group to hone and refi ne the design and
layouts for each studio. The studios even gave
feedback on the cabinetry drawings to ensure
that each locker, drawer, or cabinet would hold
the materials they use every day.
Th e project had to support personal creativity
and promote socialization. How did the interior
solutions work to build harmony?
We worked very hard to create a visual language
that would create continuity throughout the
building, whether in a small studio or large social
space. Th at visual language included a very
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Environments for Aging - Spring 2022

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