For nearly nine years, DIGroup Architecture has been partnering with Jewish Community Housing Corp. and Lester Senior Living Management to reimagine its senior living spaces, with the latest collaboration producing 20,000 square feet of newly completed modern amenities at its campus in Whippany.
Engaged to incorporate interactive spaces at Lester Senior Living’s independent and assisted living communities, DIG’s Senior Living Studio reenvisioned the spaces to achieve JCHC’s vision for a greater sense of community as part of a sweeping multiphase renovation project.
“Each senior living assignment requires us to anticipate the complex needs of the current and future generations of aging adults,” Vince Myers, principal-in-charge of DIG’s Senior Living Studio and co-founder/president of DIG, said. “In this spirit, each space is shaped and designed with a dual purpose: to offer sustainability while serving an ever-aging population’s highly unique multitiered physical, social and cognitive needs.”
Alterations at Whippany’s Heller Independent Living and Weston Assisted Living communities included reenvisioning the first-floor area as a more interactive space for residents. These gathering-place enhancements involved the café/reading room and refurbished dining room. Additions to the second floor encompassed a new theater, with tiered seating and THX-quality surround sound, a marquee and concession area.
“In keeping with DIG’s approach to every project, this design/renovation was no different — we deployed our collaborative process of working with JCHC and LSL ownership and administration as well as enlisting feedback and continual input from the campus’ senior residents, who candidly shared their practical day-to-day needs and requirements,” DIG Senior Project Manager Jaime Masler Beach said. “This approach ensured every voice was heard and the resulting creative aspect of the design met and exceeded expectations in an efficient and effective manner.”
The bold, creative floor-to-ceiling screen and chalkboard imagery in the atrium and cinema were also conceived and created by DIG’s Graphics Design Studio. In addition, the renovation completion is rounded out by improved access to the rear courtyard, where residents enjoy the outdoors.
“These renovations and their accompanying visuals have also led to fresh, modern marketing content that mirrors the vibrancy of all JCHC and Lester Senior Living have to offer,” Myers said. “While the renovations breathe new life into the 30-year-old Heller Independent and Weston Assisted Living for current residents, they also draw the interest of future residents.”
JCHC’s Lester Senior Living community is a full-service, multitiered senior living campus that provides independent, assisted and memory care levels as well as respite-stay services.
