For nearly nine years, DIGroup Architecture (DIG) has been partnering with Jewish Community Housing Corp. (JCHC) and Lester Senior Living management to reimagine its senior living spaces with the latest collaboration producing 20,000 SF of newly completed modern amenities at its campus in Whippany, N.J. Engaged to incorporate interactive spaces at Lester Senior Living’s independent and assisted living communities, DIG’s Senior Living Studio re-envisioned the spaces to achieve JCHC’s vision for a greater sense of community as part of a sweeping multi-phase renovation project.

“Each senior living assignment requires us to anticipate the complex needs of the current and future generations of aging adults,” said Vince Myers, principal-in-charge of DIG’s Senior Living Studio and co-founder/president of DIG, a certified MBE/DBE/SBE firm. “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 multi-tiered physical, social and cognitive needs.”

Alterations at Whippany’s Heller Independent Living and Weston Assisted Living communities included re-envisioning 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,” said DIG Associate and Senior Project Manager Jaime Masler Beach, AIA. “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,” added Myers. “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 multi-tiered senior living campus that provides independent, assisted and memory care levels as well as respite-stay services. Earlier this year, DIG was recognized for its work at Lester Senior Living as the top non-profit project in the Mid-Atlantic Region. 

While DIG has many senior-living assignments in their home state in New Jersey, including The Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank, Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, Venetian Care and Rehabilitation in South Amboy, Tower West in Plainfield, Franciscan Oaks Retirement Community in Denville and Village Apartments in South Orange, they also have a national presence. Additional assignments for two other influential senior-living developers, Phoenix Senior Living and Affinity Living Group, are located in Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.