LUXAIRA – Senior Affordable Apartments

10,000 baby boomers turn 55 or older every day. While many of these individuals are in good health and active, they need provisions to allow for dignified aging in place. Luxaira at Great Park Neighborhoods by Related Companies of California is a senior affordable housing project that provides a solution.

All 157 units in Luxiara’s two three-story buildings are accessible to ensure a safe environment for the residents. Seventy-nine of these units are accessible by people with mobility impairments, and nine of them are accessible by people with vision or hearing impairments.  Our design provides age-appropriate solutions for the residents that are both code compliant and aesthetic. We have provided Building Code suggested mobility and accessibility requirements while adding thoughtful design details to provide spaces conducive for mental and physical well being.

Amenities include Yoga and Cardio Rooms to support active lifestyles, while the pool and Pavilion encourage the use of outdoor spaces. Quilting and Art Rooms provide creative activities. The Community Kitchen, Lounge and Library with fireplace provide ample spaces for socialization.

In addition to the first-floor community spaces, each building has a third-floor Roof Deck enabling the residents to enjoy the California sun throughout the year. The Roof Decks were designed with careful consideration to provide diverse experiences. We designed two identical roof decks on Building A and B. We call them “Grace and Frankie” after a Netflix series about two women in their 70s, much like our future residents. “Grace,” for Building A, is a refined, sedate, formal and organized space with dual sided bars, ample formal seating and prefabricated planters. “Frankie,” for Building B, is Zen eclectic — elements like flexible and compartmentalized seating, grass flooring, and a community dining table reflect her free spirit.

The architectural design is heavily influenced by Irving Gill’s style of aesthetic purity with bold rectangular massing, smooth plastered walls, wood trim elements, and ground level arches. While it’s distinctly different from Irvine’s predominantly Mediterranean-influenced architecture, it blends in with the surroundings.

Thoughts on the project:

The success of Luxaira was due to the integration of various code requirements with an insightful understanding of the need and desires of the aging demographic.

Luxaira began construction last month. The complex is expected to open in October 2017.

Media:

The project will be featured on AIA National’s Instagram page on November 28th, 2016. It was also featured on AIA California Council’s Instagram on September 30th, 2016.