Juniper Communities has won a Silver Award from Environments for Aging for outstanding design solutions in renovating the dining venues at Juniper Village at Bucks County in Bensalem. The renovation transformed existing common areas and introduced a new coffee shop, a cocktail piano bar, and a three-story restaurant to offer more amenities for residents.
The EFA 12th Annual Remodel/Renovation Competition recognizes outstanding innovative design solutions in renovated senior living environments and the industry professionals who are taking senior living design to the next level to improve the lives of residents, families and staff.
The design team of Juniper Design Group, Bloomfield, New Jersey, and DesignPoint, Bethlehem, was tasked to expand the community’s dining and amenity offerings. The project transformed underutilized, dated interiors to create a variety of unique experiential designs. Parting from the traditional senior care model, the dining offerings now reflect an upscale hospitality model. The new spaces are aimed at helping residents grow and thrive. Three new dining venues, in addition to the reinvention of two existing venues, offer a variety of choices in meal options, from curated menus showcasing local ingredients to a juice bar for after morning yoga.
The Oak Lounge cocktail piano bar pairs classic bar details with modern twists, and now hosts mixology demonstrations and live piano entertainment. The Thirty-Two Club multi-story destination dining venue, located apart from the main amenity hub, hosts a cabaret series and is open to the outside community.
“The prestigious award is testament to the precision, vision, dedication and talent of the Juniper Design Group and DesignPoint,” said Lynne Katzman, founder and CEO of Juniper Communities. “We are grateful to the EFA for recognizing and inspiring excellence and innovative design solutions in senior housing because it aligns with Juniper’s ongoing commitment to promote healthy aging for the seniors of today and tomorrow.”
“This project was such an exciting transformation, and we’re thrilled to see the residents and staff enjoying the new spaces. It was a pleasure working with the Juniper team to translate their vision and values into the built environment. We’re honored to be recognized for this project,” said Julie Townsend, senior designer and project manager, DesignPoint.
The editors of Environments for Aging Magazine reviewed submissions of architects, owners/operators, interior designers, and others who are serving the industry and introducing fresh and innovative ideas to help further the evolution of senior living environments. The 16-member jury for the competition included experts representing architecture, interior design, senior living providers, and consultants appointed by the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments.
Winners will receive special recognition at the 2021 Environments for Aging Expo & Conference, to be held April 24-27, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Remodel/Renovation Competition will be published in the fall 2020 issue of EFA.
