Environments for Aging - Winter 2021 - 30

Alan Siegfried
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BRIGHTVIEW
SENIOR LIVING DEVELOPMENT (BALTIMORE)
I
N HIS ROLE, Alan Siegfried is responsible
for managing the design development and
construction management functions for all
new-build senior living communities, but it's his
commitment to continuous improvement that
really stands out. In addition to the ongoing development
of all senior living design standards for
the organization, which operates 45 communities
across eight states, Siegfried co-introduced a process
whereby his team gathers feedback on every
project a year after its opening and uses it to deliver
value-added improvements not only at that community
but others, where feasible. Th at theme of
continuous improvement is also evident in Brightview's
focus on placing new communities in urban
settings with links to existing neighborhoods
to support resident health and wellness as well as
drive engaging, multigenerational connections. For
example, the Brightview Innovation Center, a new
independent living, assisted living, and memory
care community scheduled to open in early 2023,
is adjacent to a public park developed by Brightview
and a nearby metro station to encourage residents
to stay active. After more than 17 years in the
industry, Siegfried is as invigorated as ever to keep
the industry moving forward. " It's a great time to be
designing for seniors, and there just could not be a
more rewarding profession, " he says.
Environments for Aging: What's kept you committed
to senior living throughout your career?
Th e most rewarding aspects are seeing the community
come to life, observing our residents as
they enjoy their daily lives within our communities,
and receiving real-time feedback from
our residents and associates on their daily life
experiences. I especially love the concept of continuous
improvement and lean into that mission.
Having the ability to implement value-adding
improvements on a project-over-project basis
is very rewarding and motivational, as well.
Designing environmental experiences that are
30 | winter 2021
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supportive of healthy, well, and vibrant lifestyles
is an ever-changing and challenging mission and
one that's supremely rewarding.
Many of your recent projects are in urban setti ngs.
What's driving this trend?
People want and need to feel connected: connected
to their families, their neighbors and friends,
surrounding communities, and retail businesses
and services that support their daily lives. Urban
settings off er convenience and connectivity in an
amenity-rich environment. By example, our Innovation
Center community is in a walkable metro
center environment in northern Virginia. It's not
exclusive that we're developing in such environments,
but clearly there's demand for congregate
senior living communities in convenient, connected,
amenity-rich settings. Th ese opportunities are
challenging to develop, which makes them especially
rewarding.
What's your vision for senior living in the future?
Communities that (1) refl ect the community at
large; (2) go the extra mile to create residential,
homelike environments; and (3) excel at connecting
residents with their neighbors, neighborhoods,
families, friends, and supportive services
will thrive. Healthy-living lifestyles and wellness
environments will become more and more desirable,
driving our focus on fresh and clean air,
emotional and physical fitness, functional and
livable spaces, residential homelike environments,
and active and passive programming that
challenges the body and mind. Development will
thrive in neighborhoods of all types-urban, suburban,
walkable town centers, wherever there's
true need for support of an aging population.
Market economics will continue to be challenging,
aff ordability will be an ever-increasing focus,
and our high-functioning design-development
partnerships will fi nd creative solutions and continue
to plow forward.
Anne DiNardo is executi ve editor of Environments
for Aging. She can be reached at anne.dinardo@
emeraldx.com.
efamagazine.com
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