American Institute of Architects Honors The Trousdale for Senior Living Design

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design for Aging Review has recognized The Trousdale project with an award of merit in its 2019 awards program.

According to officials, the Burlingame senior care center, which is designed to provide specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of memory loss, is on track and rooms are already being rented.

Designed by SmithGroup, The Trousdale is a 139,000 sf Assisted Living and Memory Care facility serving San Mateo County, California.

Biannually, the Design for Aging Review showcases facilities that conscientiously advance environments for senior living. The 11 projects honored this year represents a variety of contextual approaches serving the growing over 65 population and will be published as the 15th edition of the DFAR book.

The Trousdale is six-story urban residence comprising 101 assisted living and 24 memory care units, designed for maximum flexibility. Floor plans can be changed with minimal cosmetic construction to adapt between memory care and assisted living or to increase the number of units on a floor, allowing The Trousdale to adjust to the ever-changing needs of a dynamic market.

Investing in the wellbeing of its residents, the design encourages connectivity with the surrounding community. The ground level brings transparency to the activity within the community—including a prominent street-level corner bistro as well as an amenity-filled common space that overlooks a landscaped courtyard. In addition, the building’s oversized windows, terraces and balconies lend vibrancy and a sense of greater connection to the neighborhood. Memory care is situated on an upper floor with a dedicated terrace and common spaces to ensure residents' safety.

SmithGroup's San Francisco, California office provided design services including architecture and interiors. S.J. Amoroso served as the general contractor. Other key design team members include civil engineering by Sherwood Design Engineers, mechanical engineering and plumbing design by Interface Engineering, structural engineering by Forell/Elsesser, and landscape architecture by Royston Hanamoto Alley & Abey.