An Old Gravel Quarry Finds New Life at Summit Vista
A vibrant celebration of our evening and twilight years, Summit Vista Life Plan Communities answers two unique issues that the town of Taylorsville, Utah had been facing prior to its development. First, there was a severe lack of quality senior living opportunities to support the region’s population. Second, the leadership sought to breathe new life into a 100-acre plot of land that had once been a gravel quarry.
The plan includes three neighborhoods of independent living (IL) as well as a singular neighborhood split between assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. Initially submitted to the Environments for Aging (EFA) Design Showcase by KGRW & Associates (Ellicott City, Maryland), the first phase of the project encapsulates several buildings of the first IL neighborhood, as well as a clubhouse that features dining and wide assortment of amenity spaces.
A formal dining room showcases a refined rustic aesthetic with vaulted ceilings and wood beams as well as the bold use of color throughout the project.
Regional Colors and Materials Create a Welcoming Space for Younger Generations
Part of the initial challenges of the project was the sheer scale of the community. Originally, the project team needed to work with the local officials to create a new zoning category for the clubhouse building simply because it represented a size that didn’t exist in the jurisdiction. This effort alone was enough to impress the jury members as they evaluated the merits of the project.
Next was taking an abandoned brownfield site and transforming it into a welcoming senior living campus that could also meet stringent sustainability standards, a challenge that was met with complete success. The resulting facility features long, unbroken views to the local mountains while also offering a series of exterior courtyards and pocket parks that support outdoor activities and socialization.
The structure itself features regional colors and materials with low landscaped walls guiding residents into the outer courtyard where water features add an extra element of relaxation to the spaces.
Inside, vibrant interiors feature a bold color palette across the diverse dining venues and activity spaces, creating an environment that helps answer a project goal of attracting a younger demographic—the average move-in range today is 74 years old.
Another version of this article originally appeared on our sister site Environments for Aging.
