Housing

Stirlingshire of Coralville

Coralville, IA

A wooded setting creates the backdrop for this new 104,000sf senior living community with 20 memory care and 56 assisted living units. To achieve the client’s objectives, the design team focused on the effective balance of multiple aspects: grand scale with an intimate feel, appeal for residents and their families, and effective use of space while respecting the existing site.

The design capitalizes on panoramic views, maximizing daylighting and providing easy access to the outdoors; it also includes an underground parking garage for half of the assisted living units. Community spaces were placed at the heart of the campus, forming a home-like environment and encouraging independence, choice, and intergenerational contact. Unique to this facility is a secure memory care and assisted living outdoor dining deck.

The use of form and exterior materials distinguishes the main entrance, while giving each unit an identifiable home and feeling of place. Connected gathering spaces, such as a screen porch connected to an indoor community space, were designed to promote lifelong learning and participation in activities, as well as encourage the critical presence of children, grandchildren, and other guests. The facility is located near a neighboring living co-op which meets the needs of transitional living within a close distance.

Justin Bailey
Project Coordinator

As design took place during the pandemic, creating gathering spaces for the residents and their guests proved to be a unique challenge. In the end, our team as excited to have developed a comfortable, connected gathering space where residents could see and talk to guests while keeping a distance, as required by the Center for Disease Control.