Environments for Aging - Winter 2022 - 56

design outlook
Being neighborly
Kelly Dockweiler of Three discusses fostering community and
resident connections at Outlook at Windhaven by Anne DiNardo
T
HE OUTLOOK AT Windhaven in Plano,
Texas, aims to deliver an amenity-rich
environment that supports purposeful
living when it opens in fall 2024. The
campus will house 30 cottage homes
and 153 independent living (IL) units, plus a 56unit
assisted living and memory care building.
To emphasize community, the IL cottages feature
porches that face circulation paths, while
the overall campus plan organizes units and
amenities to foster encounters between neighbors.
Here, project manager Kelly Dockweiler,
associate at Three (Dallas), shares the inspiration
for the cottage approach and project planning.
How did cottage living become a priority
on this project?
It started as a " good neighbor " gesture: placing
cottages on the southern portion of the site in
proximity to residential blocks made the development
more appealing to the community
and easier to win approvals. From there, the
development scale climbs gradually to three
stories and then five (for the assisted living and
independent living apartments, respectively),
making the development economically feasible.
Interestingly, the cottages sold first. The
balance between the feel of a single-family
home and the connectedness to both on-site
amenities and the Plano neighborhood made
them a popular choice.
How is the campus organized to encourage
resident engagement?
The entire community is connected by walking
paths through and around the residences and
amenities, ensuring frequent opportunities for
spontaneous encounters with neighbors. The
focus on encounters is emphasized by the inclusion
of outdoor gathering spaces among four
interconnected courtyards and the placement
of cottage porches facing circulation areas. The
pool, fitness center, dining, and multipurpose
spaces create additional places to mingle.
What's the biggest challenge in providing
access to the outdoors for seniors?
Resident safety is paramount, of course, so we
work closely with our landscape architect and
other partners to reduce the risk of those with
(or without) mobility challenges encountering
trips and falls. The site is being shaped to
ensure gently sloping outdoor grading, and
the selection of materials avoids unnecessarily
rough or slippery surfaces. Appropriate night
lighting is also important, as are pathways
wide enough to accommodate mobility devices
like wheelchairs.
What other trends in senior living design
are on your radar?
The integration of senior living communities
into the larger fabric of society is critical. Combining
location and landscape into a direct
connection to local amenities, such as Outlook's
footpath to a nearby park, is something
we encourage for all new developments. We
also recommend choosing site locations near
town centers, universities, amenity hubs, cultural
institutions, and the like. Regular interaction
with families and younger generations
is good not just for seniors but for everyone.
56 | winter 2022
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