Environments for Aging - Spring 2023 - 112

design outlook
Stepping up
Grant Warner of HKS discusses overcoming site challenges and
fostering connecti ons at Terraces at CC Young by Anne DiNardo
T
HE TERRACES AT CC Young in East Dallas
lives up to its name with dramatic
stair-stepped roof terraces-a unique
solution designed to address zoning and
site restrictions while allowing space for
a new 363,000-square-foot independent living
building. Scheduled for completion in October
2025, the project is the second phase of a master
plan to transform the existing campus and
includes replacing three detached skilled nursing
buildings with the independent living building,
adding amenities, and expanding an existing
cultural and wellness facility to host events
open to the public. Here, designer and principal-in-charge,
Grant Warner, principal at HKS
(Dallas), talks about turning those issues into
opportunities and how demand for intergenerational
activities is driving change in the industry.
What inspired the unique planning
solution for this project and why was it
necessary for this site?
Due to the site's proximity to White Rock Lake,
an East Dallas amenity used by cyclists, runners,
and boat enthusiasts, a small but vocal group of
opponents pushed for challenging height and
setback restrictions that could have severely
limited, if not halted, this type of development.
However, we realized at various intervals, the
imposed setbacks could become usable roof terraces.
So, we studied how to better redistribute
the roof terraces equally in between the various
setback heights and distances.
This project faced several zoning challenges,
as well. Tell us about those.
Th e zoning restrictions not only included strict
setback requirements but also density, coverage,
and an overall height limit. Th ose restrictions
helped push the building back, which consequently
improved connectivity to other existing
campus buildings. Th ey also infl uenced the design
of a new meandering entrance drive, greatly
improving the community's public visibility
and arrival experience.
The project's focus on ameniti es includes
space for free, public events. What's the
biggest challenge in incorporati ng public
spaces into a senior living community?
Security. Th e residents and their care partners
always come fi rst. So, inviting the general public
into their home is always a delicate situation.
Here, to better balance these concerns with the
benefi ts of outreach to East Dallas, the additions
to the campus' cultural center will reorient its
" public face " from the internal campus central
park to the main entrance. A new Welcome
Center will be situated on the lowest level of the
addition to face the street to greet visitors and
guests. Th ese are some of the moves used to consolidate
circulation and the welcome center up
front at the main entrance to address safety.
How do you anti cipate the trend of building
connecti on with surrounding communiti es
will shape senior living design?
We are seeing more demand for intergenerational
housing, especially in more urban mixeduse
developments. There's a strong desire
from some of our residents to remain in their
communities-close to their families, churches,
businesses, volunteer opportunities, etc. A
wonderful response to this demand is strategic
partnerships with other developers, such as
combining senior living with a hotel where both
can share costly support and amenities spaces
like production kitchens, laundry, etc.
112 | spring 2023
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Environments for Aging - Spring 2023

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