E03 – Beyond the Bridge: Designing for Intergenerational Connection in a University Retirement Community
University Retirement Communities promise lifelong learning, mentorship, and shared experiences across generations. But proximity alone does not create meaningful interaction. Using Maryland's first formal University Retirement Community partnership between Edenwald and Goucher College as a case study, this session explores how architecture and interior design can intentionally foster intergenerational engagement while supporting the needs and expectations of older adults. Presenters will share how input from residents, students, faculty, and leadership shaped the planning process; how common spaces were designed to encourage both planned and spontaneous interactions; and how design decisions balanced wellness, hospitality, academic culture, and residential comfort while creating opportunities for connection beyond the boundaries of a traditional senior living campus. The session will also examine lessons learned while creating a cohesive sense of place across two institutions with distinct cultures and missions. Attendees will gain practical strategies for designing "third places" that encourage social connection, support lifelong learning, and strengthen a sense of belonging. While focused on a University Retirement Community case study, attendees will discover design strategies that can support partnerships with universities, community organizations, and other mission-aligned institutions seeking to foster lifelong learning, social engagement, and purpose-driven experiences.
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E03 – Beyond the Bridge: Designing for Intergenerational Connection in a University Retirement Community
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…The Intergenerational Task Force has spent the past two years exploring one deceptively simple question: What does meaningful intergenerational integration actually look like in community-based living environments? Through surveys, design charrettes,
…The Intergenerational Task Force has spent the past two years exploring one deceptively simple question: What does meaningful intergenerational integration actually look like in community-based living environments? Through surveys, design charrettes, stakeholder engagement, and the identification of exemplary projects, the Task Force has been testing assumptions, documenting lessons learned, and developing practical frameworks that move beyond as
…The Intergenerational Task Force has spent the past two years exploring one deceptively simple question: What does meaningful intergenerational integration actually look like in community-based living environments? Through surveys, design charrettes, stakeholder engagement, and the identification of exemplary projects, the Task Force has been testing assumptions, documenting lessons learned, and developing practical frameworks that move beyond aspiration toward implementation. This session will share emerging findings from the initiative, highlight innovative examples nominated by industry peers, explore common themes and challenges appearing across projects, and introduce new tools and resources designed to support planning, design, and operational decision-making. Attendees will also receive an updated roadmap outlining opportunities, barriers, and next steps for advancing age-integrated environments, along with insights from a newly released white paper documenting lessons learned to date. Whether you are a designer, provider, developer, owner, researcher, or community leader, this session will provide actionable insights into one of the most discussed-and most frequently misunderstood-emerging trends in senior living and community design.
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E11 – From Campus to Community: Measuring Intergenerational Design in Senior Living
