Merrill Gardens at Anthem is now opened!

Our first senior housing project in Arizona, Merrill Gardens at Anthem, is now completed!

This community is located in a suburb right outside of Phoenix, with close proximity to cities such as Peoria, Glendale, and Scottsdale. The design concept behind this senior housing development is to create a resort-like community that complements the existing architecture and landscape in the desert setting. To blend with the desert landscape, the overall architectural details of this building are particularly rich with earthy accents, colors and texture, which combines to create a warm and inviting living environment for residents. 

Main Entrance

The main entrance features a grand porte-cochere, which greets residents and guests upon arrival at the community. One unique design feature of this building is the incorporation of Sedona red sandstone, which is a material native to Arizona. Sedona sandstone is used throughout the exteriors to blend with the desert setting, creating a welcoming and yet familiar visual character for the community.

Courtyard

Swimming ool

Courtyard

Memory Care Courtyard

The 98,240-square-foot community offers a total of 93 residential units with the options of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Residents have a convenient access to a broad array of services, as well as both indoor and outdoor amenities, such as library, tech room, bistro, theater, beauty salon, outdoor swimming pool, and trellis patio. The large variety of common amenities encourages residents to engage in activities and also gives them the opportunity to meet new friends within the community.

Lobby

Library

Bistro

Check out our gallery for Merrill Gardens at Anthem to see more photos of this new community!

Balancing Connection and Privacy in Student Housing

What makes an ideal design for student housing? The right balance between connection and privacy.

In modern practices of student housing design, common areas have become increasingly important as they create opportunities for students to socialize and collaborate. While the need for private spaces is still significant, students value the availability of an open communal living space that allows them to interact with each others. 

For our student apartment project at Everett Community College, we have come up with a design approach that balances the need for privacy with the need of creating community. To create a socially-oriented shared living experience, we incorporate various common areas into our design, including an ground-level open interior courtyard that will provide an open environment for students to hang out and enjoy the outdoors. The units will be arranged along an open circulation path that surrounds the interior courtyard, giving students an all-around view of the building while fostering a strong sense of community.

Interior courtyard rendering

The building will include studio units, as well as three- and four-bedroom units with communal living space. Along with a modern open layout, large windows inside units will let in daylight and create a light-filled, airy living environment. 

Studio bedroom rendering

All three- and four-bedroom units will include a shared modern kitchen and a spacious communal living room, which will draw students out of their individual units and encourage interaction. 

Three bedroom unit rendering 

Four bedroom unit rendering

The design of student housing plays a critical role in shaping student's college experience. Our design offers a balanced mix of private and social spaces, which will support students both academically and socially by meeting their needs for privacy and connection. 

More renderings and updates for this project are coming soon, stay tuned! 

Urban Residential Living at West Covina

We're so excited to present our latest senior housing development on the West Coast: Merrill Gardens at West Covina!

Located in the foothill of San Gabriel Mountains, California, this project is just minutes away from Downtown Los Angeles. One feature that makes this project truly unique is its integration with the surrounding community. Designed according to the city’s master plan emphasizing new urbanism concepts, the building features highly-prominent facades and pedestrian-oriented open spaces. Along with modern architectural details and a 9,247 sf multi-tiered rooftop terrace, this building offers a variety of amenity-rich spaces, allowing residents to enjoy a dynamic urban lifestyle. 

See more photos for this project on our portfolio page!