Veterinary clinics are a unique project type. Blending elements of healthcare and office projects – and even retail and hospitality – they fall somewhere between all four project types, designed for both people and pets. As such, there are some special considerations that go into accommodating staff as well as the animals that receive treatment in those projects.
Most of the vet clinics we have worked on have been first tenant improvement (TI) renovations, meaning they are located in new buildings with empty commercial space on the ground floor. To accommodate the needs of both veterinary staff and the animals they treat, these spaces are renovated to include a clear separation between the front lobby waiting area and the back-clinic rooms where pets are treated by veterinary staff.
Ankrom Moisan’s veterinary work in California started with a project in the San Francisco Bay. A later project in the same area – the SOMA Animal Hospital in Mission Bay – was also the first foray into vet clinics for one of our clients.
SOMA Animal Hospital, Mission Bay
Setting the standard for all future veterinary clinic work, Mission Bay was a collaborative effort between us and our client. To ensure their flagship location effectively represented their vision for their brand, they provided 3D renderings that detailed the schematic design and layout of the interior spaces.
Considering that staff workflow is the most important part of a veterinary clinic, it was vital that we designed a smooth, easy path from the reception lobby to the exam and treatment rooms in the back, with ample additional support spaces. To effectively deliver this, the client partnered with Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, aligning on the essential needs of a vet clinic and coordinating how best to support those needs through design.
The building itself doesn’t have a typical rectangular layout. Located on the intersection of two busy thoroughfares, Mission Bay embraces the pointy corner it’s situated on, leading to a unique vantage point from outside of the building. Breaking down visual barriers in an inviting way, we used storefront glazing all around the windows to frame the interior spaces, allowing pet owners and passers-by to view the treatment rooms in the back of the clinic from the street.
Inside, we picked the finishes, paint colors, and did some of the case work detailing in the lobby, like the use of wood and the circular aperture window behind the reception desk that would become a standard in later projects with the client.
After creating Mission Bay as the flagship standard for our client, we were told that they appreciated the speed we brought the project from the planning stage to the very end of obtaining a building permit. “They liked how we handled the permitting process,” said Technical Designer Sookhee Kim. “Our prior experience with planning in the Mission Bay area made the entire process much easier for them.”
The speed and efficiency of our design process was a determining factor in completing two more similarly scoped veterinary clinics; North Hills Animal Hospital in Muirlands, and Promenade Veterinary Hospital in Long Beach.
Promenade Veterinary Hospital, Long Beach
There were some interesting challenges with the Promenade Veterinary Hospital in Long Beach, stemming from the base building still wrapping up construction as we became involved. The 3,300 sq. ft. space was one of the larger TI renovations we had done for a vet clinic, so coordinating with both the client and their landlord on scope responsibility for our TI permit was a large part of the process. Navigating active permits for the base building was challenging, but getting to the other side and accomplishing our goals for the project was very rewarding.
North Hills Animal Hospital in Muirlands, on the other hand, was very straightforward, with minimal challenges or delays to the project.
The retail-like front reception desk draws clients in through a clean aesthetic and hospitality-inspired amenities, like comfortable benches and a beverage station, giving way to the back-of house staff areas where the animal patients are treated.
Lockable doors separate both client-access spaces like the reception lobby from the rest of the clinic where technical staff operate, as well as the kennels. It was important to ensure that all of the animals treated by veterinary staff stay enclosed in the kennel area should they manage to get out of their individual cages.
There is an abundance of space in the back staff area – a commitment to keeping cats and dogs separate necessitates two waiting room holding areas, as well as two exam rooms. Naturally, the one designed for dogs is larger than the one for cats.
Durable, hygienic finishes were selected to facilitate and simplify long-term maintenance, while acoustical panels were used to dampen sound from within the kennels where canine patients await treatment.
North Hills Animal Hospital in Muirlands
Since the clinic doesn’t offer overnight stays or treatment, there are about 6 exam rooms and 10 kennels for each location, allowing staff to maximize the number of pets they treat daily.
It’s an efficient, streamlined design that supports everyone involved, from the client and veterinary staff to the pets and their humans. Having perfected it early on with Mission Bay, thanks to our attentive and collaborative process, means that we are able to replicate that success in other veterinary clinics.
Bridging the Belonging Gap
As student populations grow and on-campus housing remains limited, off-campus housing has become a critical part of the higher education experience. According to Propmodo, the demand for student housing greatly exceeds supply at many universities, making the asset class an unlikely real estate kingmaker over the past two decades. But this growing reliance has brought on new challenges.
While the first-year dorm experience is often rich in social interaction and university programming, the transition off campus can come with a steep decline in connection, support, and engagement. A column in The Daily Gamecock, the University of South Carolina’s student newspaper, put it plainly: “Off-campus housing can be isolating.” When students move off campus, they risk losing the daily rhythms and casual relationships that make college life feel cohesive. This raises a fundamental question for developers and designers alike: How can we ensure off-campus housing supports, not undermines, a student’s experience and well-being?
Putting Connection First in Off-Campus Housing Design
The best off-campus housing doesn’t just provide a place to live, it creates the conditions for connection. At VERVE West Lafayette, developed by Subtext near Purdue University, that philosophy takes center stage. Every detail of the building reflects Subtext’s broader “Unlonely Mission,” a commitment visible across other recent developments in Bloomington, Boise, and Columbus. All elements of the project are shaped by a singular mission: to unlonely student life. This shows up not just in the operations, but in the physical spaces themselves.
Verve West Lafayette
From the moment residents arrive, they’re greeted by a friendly team member at a vibrant leasing bar that doubles as a coffee spot by day and transforms into a social lounge by night. Upstairs, amenities include wellness-forward features like a yoga studio, sauna, and meditation spaces that prioritize mental health without feeling clinical. A bold design move, like a swirling slide connecting two floors, adds a touch of playfulness and sparks spontaneous interaction among residents.
There’s also an intentional balance between private and public. Study pods provide a quiet retreat, while common areas offer room for collaboration and friendship. Local design cues, from materials to murals, tie the space to the community to help students feel rooted in both place and purpose. And with a walkable location just minutes from Purdue’s campus, VERVE keeps students close to the heart of university life, even when they live beyond its footprint.
Design Strategies to Build Belonging Off-Campus
Creating a sense of belonging is essential for student success and well-being, especially in off-campus housing where students can feel socially and physically disconnected. Design plays a pivotal role in bridging this gap by encouraging interaction and fostering inclusive communities. Layered communal spaces like study lounges, community kitchens, maker spaces, fitness areas, and rooftop terraces support both structured and sporadic engagement. Semi-private “threshold” areas, such as shared entryways, floor lounges, or front porches, can facilitate passive interactions and foster the formation of micro-communities.
Verve Bloomington
Attention to scale and proximity is also essential. Breaking down large buildings into smaller “neighborhoods,” for instance, clusters of units sharing a lounge or “pods” with common amenities, helps cultivate a more intimate residential experience. Circulation spaces should be designed to encourage visibility and activity through features like open stairwells, transparent walls, and generous natural light.
Additionally, inclusion must be embedded from the start. Universal design features, like all-gender restrooms, multi-faith meditation rooms, and accessible layouts, signal that every student is welcome. But belonging also comes from the process. Early engagement through participatory design workshops, such as collaborative charrettes that use storyboarding, spatial mapping, or card-sorting exercises, can reveal latent needs and values.
Beyond the initial phases, ongoing feedback loops, through student advisory panels or milestone surveys, ensure that evolving expectations are acknowledged. Post-occupancy evaluations offer valuable insight into what worked, what didn’t, and what students wish had been included, providing direction for future projects. Partnerships with Student Affairs can surface less-visible insights, especially for underrepresented grounds, and collaborating with departments such as housing, DEI offices, or cultural centers helps ensure the design reflects the full spectrum of student experiences.
Verve Boise
The building’s location and its access to campus and neighborhood matter just as much. Well-lit walking paths, secure bike infrastructure, and proximity to transit support easy movement, while ground-floor retail or community-facing programming can integrate student housing into the fabric of the neighborhood. Visual and programmatic links to campus, views of landmarks, spaces for student orgs, and campus-branded graphics reinforce psychological connectivity. Ultimately, off-campus housing that offers informal third spaces, integrates wellness through design, and supports events like shared meals or club meetings becomes more than a place to live – it becomes a platform for unity, identity, and student growth.
A Call to Align
For the growing number of students living off campus, the line between inclusion and isolation often comes down to how their housing is designed. Developers, designers, and campus leaders must work together to meet students where they are, both physically, socially, and emotionally.
Off-campus doesn’t have to mean disconnected. In fact, with intentional design, it can be a powerful extension of campus life. By aligning priorities and centering connection, we can ensure that student housing continues to support, not interrupt, a student’s college journey.
Piecing Together Modular Construction
Knowing certain rules and integral constraints about residential buildings that cannot be avoided or altered – like the fact that residential developments need to be between 65’ and 75’ wide, but can be any length depending on the site – architects and developers often employ creative solutions to work around those immovable requirements and fit as many units as allowable into a structure for the lowest cost / highest impact possible. One of these solutions is the Kit-of-Parts approach.
So, What Exactly is a Kit-of-Parts Approach?
The Kit-of-Parts approach is a scalable, affordable, quick, and convenient method of construction that utilizes prefabricated pieces that are assembled on-site. It utilizes an off-the-shelf set of components that can be combined in a number of different ways, creating semi-unique architectural configurations.
Colors and cladding can be customized to create unique characteristics for different clients. Even though it uses the same set of materials, with five different base ‘types’ to mix and match, there are “unlimited” options for how to differentiate repeat constructions.
Multifamily Modular Kit-of-Parts Study in California
The primary idea is creating a specific set of materials and products that can be utilized and repeated in as many projects as possible without sacrificing the quality or integrity of those buildings.
Just like the automotive industry, there’s the low-end and the high-end of the market. With these modular products, you typically get what you pay for in that same sense.
How the Kit-of-Parts Works
While it is also an approach to construction, a Kit-of-Parts is itself a product.
Because we have existing relationships with contractors, we work with them over time to utilize similar materials to those used in these products and reduce the overall cost via bulk pricing. The result is ideally a standardized mass timber (point supported system) frame that can be utilized for ground-floor retail portion of mixed-use developments.
Example of the Manufacturer Options Provided with Kit-of-Parts Constructions
The foundation that the timber frame is erected upon is typically built on-site, customized to fit the dimensions of the site itself. After that, the engineered Kit is fully embraced. Since site dimensions are already known, the Kit can be purchased right off the shelf.
If additional residential floors are desired, they can be added via a similar kit of components using semi-prefab walls, semi-modular, “flat pack,” or volumetric modular elements. The units themselves are assembled offsite, in a factory, and are shipped to the project site where they are dropped in place like LEGO bricks.
Benefits of Kit-of-Parts Construction
As a customizable strategy and building technique, the Kit-of-Parts approach to construction works just about anywhere. It can be utilized for retail storefronts, office buildings, and even residential apartments. However, as a product, it fits best in suburban developments, where sites that accommodate the size requirements (65-75′ wide) for residential constructions are more common. As long as that prerequisite is satisfied, the number of units within the building can ebb and flow as required.
Multifamily Modular Kit-of-Parts Study in California
Another benefit is that the product is expandable. Depending on the community it’s being designed for, the same elements can be used while adjusting the scale as required, meaning that if a building owner wanted to expand their property to add more units, it would be relatively simple to just bring in additional units.
Because modular construction utilizes the same basic set of pieces in various alternating configurations, it is much more affordable in the long run when compared to bespoke, one-off design prototypes. Additionally, mass production of pieces translates to less expensive material costs overall thanks to bulk pricing.
Even more, modular construction saves time when compared to a bespoke design project. Working drawings can be done more efficiently given the opportunity to learn from previous projects and improve upon existing designs, making the process of design and construction duration faster and reducing the overall cost, simplifying the entire process. Since the pre-assembled pieces just need to be put in the correct place on-site, it often takes more time just for the concrete foundation to be poured than it does to put everything together and erect the building.
Ironically, because factory-assembled Kit-of-Parts products use a single, specialized crew in a factory setting who are experts at what they do, as opposed to an on-site crew who work with many different construction types depending on the project, Kit-of-Parts products are of a higher quality than site-assembled designs. There is also less waste created in a factory setting than on-site.
Overall, by embracing this innovative approach to residential and retail construction, developers have the opportunity to create more buildings, faster, for less money, while reducing waste and retaining the flexibility and customizability that differentiates one property from those that surround it.
Upgrading the Office Bathroom
Remote and hybrid work has reshaped employee expectations around basics. At home, employees enjoy a certain level of control. They set the soundtrack, choose the dress code, and move easily between professional and personal tasks—brewing coffee, folding laundry, or stepping into a bathroom that feels comfortable and private.
The office doesn’t offer the same ease. Restrooms shared with unfamiliar colleagues often feel sterile or impersonal, rarely matching the comfort of even a messy bathroom at home. And in a workplace culture where employees are weighing the value of commuting in, these details matter.
Restroom design may not top the HR agenda, but its impact is real. When such a basic daily experience is better met at home, employees are more likely to stay there.
A More Inclusive Office
Restroom design is emerging as a quiet but powerful influence on workplace inclusivity and wellbeing. Beyond basic function, these spaces can provide the privacy and accessibility needed by employees managing anxiety, digestive conditions, or chronic illness, as well as those who rely on mobility aids. Designers who have personally navigated workplaces in a wheelchair often describe how that experience reshaped their perspective — reinforcing the need to go further than ADA minimums and create spaces that feel genuinely comfortable and dignified.
Inclusivity also extends to gender. Many offices are moving away from traditional layouts, introducing shared sink areas with private stalls to better support a wider range of users. These shifts, paired with a hospitality-inspired design approach, signal a broader recognition: every detail of the workplace contributes to how people feel about being there. For employers, landlords, and building owners, upgrading restrooms is not only an investment in health and equity, but also a way to differentiate. And as office attendance climbs, these small but meaningful improvements can make returning to the workplace feel far more welcoming.
Better Bathrooms for All
On top of better privacy and cleanliness, companies and employees are also looking for aesthetic upgrades.
Restroom at the Swedish Medical Center Ambulatory Infusion Clinic
Once treated as purely utilitarian, office restrooms are being reimagined as part of a larger shift toward wellness-driven workplaces. More than a functional stop, they now serve as quiet, flexible spaces where employees can freshen up between meetings, take medication, wash up after a walk, or simply step away for a brief mental reset. In an environment where most spaces are shared, the workplace restroom offers a rare slice of privacy — and that small but meaningful distinction is what makes it one of the most human-centered elements of the modern office.
Lighting is super important in restrooms. If you’re working all day, you kind of want to just take a break, it’s kind of a reprieve. We’re starting to see lounge areas return in restrooms, like a nice chair where you can just go and sit, that kind of doubles as like a quiet space.
Think “Bathroom Selfie”
As companies reimagine workplaces to encourage people back into the office, many are drawing inspiration from hospitality—creating spaces that feel more like hotels, libraries, or members’ clubs. One area that is often overlooked, but deserves equal attention is the office restroom.
One cultural shift that proves the relevance of the workplace restroom is the bathroom selfie. For more than a decade, social media has been filled with snapshots from stylish hotel and restaurant restrooms. Now, even office bathrooms are joining that conversation, reflecting a broader awareness that every detail of the workplace experience matters. Even the most private spaces shape how people feel at work.
People like to take them. They like to go to a really curated experience, but especially to bathrooms because that’s where you can have a lot of fun. It’s a small space. People have privacy in there.
The Bathroom at Harder Mechanical
When people began to return to work after the pandemic, bathroom upgrades were focused on safety, sanitation, and preventing the spread of germs.
Post-pandemic, it was all about how we can make the restroom safer, and so that was a lot of automated doors and even sensors for when people go into the bathroom. It would alert you externally if somebody was in there. We went from that to all the way up here. The expectation for restrooms is unbelievable.
While words like “fun” or “inspirational” aren’t typically used to describe the office bathrooms, it seems like that is the direction many bathroom upgrades are moving.
The Timber Advantage
Our built environment is one of the planet’s biggest polluters, with buildings responsible for roughly 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, 28% of which are operational and 11% from building materials and construction alone.
While this is certainly not a revelation, the window for meaningful change is closing fast. The need for architecture, design, and construction solutions that don’t just check the sustainability box, but actually move the needle — achieving sustainability goals, enhancing durability, and sustaining economic growth — has never been more pressing. The salve? Mass timber.
Now gaining momentum across the Pacific Northwest with large-scale developments like Portland International Airport’s nine-acre mass timber terminal, the region is emerging as a global leader in sustainable construction innovation. Surrounded by some of the country’s largest timber resources, the Pacific Northwest is well positioned to shift development to mass timber — unlocking a scalable, high-performance solution to not only reach sustainability goals but enhance durability and sustain regional economic growth.
C-TRAN’s newly completed campus expansion in Vancouver, Washington, includes a mass plywood operations building.
The Case for Mass Timber
Despite its long history, mass timber — a building material made from multiple layers of wood — has yet to see widespread use due to factors like the high premium on base material costs, perception and restrictive code requirements.
Once a common construction material, mass timber was largely phased out during the 20th century in favor of concrete and steel. Concrete, for example, offers flexibility for cellular layouts; it is, however, notoriously slow to construct, cold to the touch and contributes significantly to atmospheric carbon. As the world grapples with the negative environmental impact of traditional building materials, mass timber is making a comeback, and so are the myriad benefits it possesses.
Mass timber is more than just a sustainability win — it’s an investment in both pre- and post-construction efficiency, resilience and well-being. Its ability to streamline project timelines, reduce soft costs for time on-site, enhance durability and aesthetics, contribute to healthier environments, support regional economies, and aid in reducing the industry’s significant carbon footprint makes it a powerful tool for the future of sustainable construction.
Sequestering Carbon
Mass timber offers significant environmental benefits, notably in its ability to aid in reducing carbon emissions. Wood is the only scalable building material that sequesters carbon, carrying the potential to aid in reducing the building industry’s significant share of carbon emissions production by 14-31%.
Mass timber also requires less energy to produce compared to traditional building materials like steel and concrete. This reduced amount of energy demand aligns with the Living Building Challenge and LEED life cycle analysis criteria. These advantages allow the industry to substantially respond to climate change and its currently massive carbon footprint.
The material also offers an opportunity to improve forest health — it can be produced from thinning, less commercially desirable trees, creating more space for healthy, strong trees to thrive. This further enhances mass timber’s carbon sequestration efforts and supports the long-term vitality of forests.
Strength, Comfort, and Well-Being
Highly durable and energy efficient, mass timber boasts impressive fire resistance and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Unlike traditional lumber, which has a low fire rating, mass timber’s massive panels char on the outside during a fire, forming a protective outer layer that helps retain the building’s structural integrity.
Mass timber’s multi-layered panels provide strength without added weight, allowing it to be constructed on confined sites. Furthermore, the material’s low thermal conductivity offers warmth and comfort not found in concrete or steel, making it a unique and durable choice for modern construction. Combined, these characteristics enhance safety and durability while also contributing to occupant well-being, creating spaces that feel secure, stable, and naturally comfortable.
Mass timber’s advantages go beyond performance and resilience, however. While its structural benefits are undeniable, the material also enhances the experience of a space. The natural warmth and elegance of wood evoke a sense of comfort and connection to nature, aligning with the growing demand for biophilic spaces. The material enhances the visual environment while contributing to a healthier atmosphere, improving the well-being of those who inhabit and frequent these spaces.
The Standard at Seattle’s Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) building is connected to two high-rise towers via a pedestrian corridor.
The Financial Upside
Although the base material cost of wood is currently high, savings from shorter project timelines, reduced onsite labor, lower import duties, and other operational efficiencies can offset the initial premium. Additionally, mass timber performs better thermally, further enhancing its long-term cost-effectiveness.
Often sourced and produced locally, the transportation and storage costs of mass timber are also minimized. The prefabricated nature of the material allows for quicker assembly, yielding less soft costs related to project management, street closures, and material storage. This streamlined construction process, in turn, allows for earlier occupancy and a quicker return on investment.
Shifting to mass timber development also carries the potential to boost rural economies by generating demand for sustainable forestry. Supporting local wood producers and creating jobs in these communities helps stimulate economic growth and balance wealth distribution between urban and rural cities and towns in timber country, encouraging a more sustainable and equitable approach to development.
This combination of cost savings, improved efficiency, and economic empowerment is an attractive incentive to developers, architects, and communities seeking to balance financial viability with sustainability goals.
Mass timber offers an impactful, multi-faceted solution to the urgent challenges of sustainable development, and a shift to mass timber can address the growing demand for more environmentally responsible building practices.
From significantly reducing the industry’s carbon emissions to promoting healthier environments and fostering economic growth within communities, it supports a more sustainable construction process and offers long-term benefits that surpass traditional building materials and approaches. It should be the baseline assumption for every new development, creating a lasting positive impact on the future of our planet, our buildings and the well-being of those who inhabit them.
Seniors’ Evolving Tastes
When it comes to dining, seniors’ tastes are evolving, which is impacting how senior living communities plan and design food and beverage amenities.
In a Q&A with Environments for Aging, Darla Esnard, Principal and Co-Director of Senior Communities, discussed the increased importance of designing senior living facilities to incorporate flexible food and beverage spaces, balancing accessibility and aesthetics, and design elements that promote socialization.
Q: How are seniors’ dining expectations changing?
We are continuing to see the shift toward restaurant-style dining with a varied atmosphere. Gone are the days of one large formal dining room—today’s seniors want variety and choice in both their dining venues and types of cuisine. Most communities we are working in today, whether it be a renovation, repositioning project, or a new ground-up project, are asking for multiple dining experiences for their residents.
Aegis Living Bellevue Overlake
Q: What’s driving this?
A few factors. Seniors are used to having dining and restaurant variety at their fingertips. Not only can they get it from restaurants, but it is also available online and via delivery. They expect this same quality and experience in senior communities.
Additionally, more people are aware of the important role food has on our overall health. Seniors are seeking food personalized for their nutritional needs. They are demanding fresh, nutritional food that promotes longer, healthier lives.
Q: What design considerations can support flexible dining spaces that are also efficient for communities to operate?
It’s important to create flexible dining spaces that can transition throughout the day. For example, a café space that is used for breakfast or coffee in the morning can transition to a social bar space at night. A larger dining venue can have hidden screens and AV equipment to allow the larger space to be used for meetings or special events when not serving meals.
Lastly, carefully planning the location of your main kitchen and keeping it directly adjacent to all dining venues and/or a direct elevator ride to another dining venue saves money on repetitive equipment and also keeps staff co-located in a central area instead of spread over a larger community.
Aegis Living Laurelhurst
Q: What’s on your list of must-have features for senior dining environments today?
Seniors need to be comfortable in their dining experience or they won’t want to linger and be social with other residents. The atmosphere must have excellent lighting–lots of natural light without glare. Noise in dining rooms is one of the biggest complaints we hear from residents. Utilizing good sound dampening materials is crucial in reducing noise and giving a resident a comfortable experience. A dining room that’s easily maneuvered is critical as well as the dining chair. It must be designed with the senior in mind and easy to get in and out of, with good support and comfort.
URC Dining Renovation
How to Adapt Aging Office Spaces for a Modern Workforce
Office leasing trends are shifting and many tenants are favoring new developments, posing significant challenges for older office buildings in maintaining occupancy. As tenants seek out flexible, wellness-focused, and tech-enabled work environments, owners of these aging office buildings must rethink their strategies to attract and retain occupants.
With the right approach, there is significant potential for older office buildings to thrive. By embracing targeted upgrades and creative design interventions, building owners can reposition these assets to meet the needs of modern tenants while creating unique competitive advantages in the marketplace.
As architects and designers, we play a crucial role in reimagining outdated spaces and breathing new life into these properties.
Leveraging innovative strategies based on a deep understanding of current workplace trends, we can transform aging office buildings into future-ready environments that align with today’s focus on flexibility, technology and wellness.
Creating Flexibility and Opportunities for Personalization
One key design strategy to enhance the competitiveness of aging office buildings is incorporating flexible layouts and personalized settings.
In today’s hybrid work environment, employees are looking for a workplace that can accommodate various work styles and preferences — whether it be quiet zones for focused work, collaborative areas for team meetings, or lounge areas for informal discussions.
To meet these diverse needs, it’s important that we create adaptable environments that promote versatility and productivity, ensuring that every employee can find the right setting for their work.
Open floor plans, modular furniture and multi-purpose spaces are essential components of this adaptable design approach. These plans offer flexibility through their reconfiguration ability, encourage communication and collaboration through the removal of physical barriers and enable diverse work zones to meet evolving employee needs.
Modular furniture complements this layout and facilitates effortless rearrangement and customization. Pieces such as adjustable desks, stackable chairs and movable partitions empower organizations to create tailored environments — whether for brainstorming sessions, team meetings or individual focus time.
Community Transit Merrill Creek
Multi-purpose spaces, designed for versatility, also enhance flexibility, enabling areas to be quickly transformed for various needs. For instance, a conference room that typically serves as a meeting space can be easily converted into an event venue with retractable walls. Implementing these design elements provides leaseholders and employees with the ability to modify their workspaces as needed.
While flexibility lays the groundwork for dynamic workspaces, personalization plays a vital role in enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity in the workplace. Allowing individuals to tailor their workspace empowers employees to create environments that align with their unique needs.
Incorporating elements like adjustable lighting, climate control, and ergonomic furniture allows employees to craft their ideal settings, fostering a sense of ownership that inspires engagement and fuels creativity.
Amenity Spaces: Wellness and Sustainability
Modern occupants are no longer satisfied with offices that simply provide a desk and chair — they’re seeking spaces that enhance their well-being and align with their values, especially when it comes to wellness and environmentally friendly practices.
For aging office buildings, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To remain relevant, these buildings need to incorporate wellness-oriented amenity spaces that promote sustainability, giving them a renewed sense of purpose and appeal.
To truly capitalize on this opportunity, we must offer a comprehensive suite of wellness features that enable older buildings to stand out in a competitive market. Thoughtfully designed amenities like fitness centers, meditation rooms and outdoor spaces give employees places to recharge and refocus throughout the day.
Coupling these wellness-driven spaces with sustainable initiatives — such as energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and the use of healthy materials — further elevates the appeal in attracting companies prioritizing health and wellness, and sustainability.
Community Transit Merrill Creek
This approach was realized in the redesign of Community Transit Merrill Creek in Everett, Washington, where we embraced a holistic approach to the interiors, transforming the space into a sustainable, hospitality-driven amenity center for both transit drivers and administrative employees.
The finished project included health-conscious amenities like a wellness area offering massages and chiropractic care, as well as a fitness center complete with workout machines, free weights, and a dedicated yoga space. We also added two stories of both relaxing, low-energy comforts and active, engaging amenities providing employees with a space to read, relax, and rest in the sleep and quiet rooms or play pool and watch TV in the social break room between shifts.
Technology and Smart Building Solutions
Design and technology are inseparable, and incorporating smart building solutions is no longer just a trend — it’s essential to meet the demands of modern occupants and future-proof office environments. Smart systems such as touchless entry, IoT-enabled sensors for space utilization, and AI-driven building management systems help create spaces that respond intuitively to the people who use them, ensuring a seamless blend of innovation, efficiency and user experience.
Integrating smart building systems that automate essential functions like lighting, heating, cooling and security can significantly reduce energy consumption and also offer occupants greater convenience and control.
These systems are designed to optimize building performance, adjusting energy use in real-time based on occupancy, weather conditions or time of day. The result is not only a more sustainable operation but also yields substantial cost savings. Advanced Building Management Systems (BMS) take this a step further, automating routine operations and delivering valuable analytics that improve maintenance and extend the lifespan of the building’s infrastructure.
Community Transit Merrill Creek
Future-Proofing Workplaces: Designing for Flexibility, Wellness, and Sustainability
To remain competitive, the key for aging office buildings lies in making strategic design choices that emphasize flexibility, wellness, sustainability and technology. With the incorporation of adaptable layouts, wellness-centered amenities, and smart building systems, these properties can be better equipped to cater to evolving demands for dynamic, health-conscious work environments.
As designers, we play a crucial role in reimagining these spaces, transforming them into future-ready workplaces that foster both well-being and productivity while preserving noteworthy original architectural character. Through thoughtful design interventions, aging office buildings can not only stay relevant but also thrive as innovative and sustainable solutions in today’s real estate landscape.
2025 Trivia Night Recap
Held every year since 2010, Ankrom Moisan Trivia Night is more than just an evening of fun and games. It’s a way to let loose, bond with colleagues, and most importantly, give back to the community.
For the fifteenth annual AM Trivia Night, we gathered in Seattle to raise money for Food Lifeline, a local non-profit organization on a mission to feed people facing hunger today while working to end hunger for tomorrow. Their mission goes hand in hand with our values at Ankrom Moisan, and the money we’ve raised will have a significant impact on the lives of those experiencing hunger in Western Washington.
Together, we raised $107,000 for Food Lifeline to fight food insecurity in the Pacific Northwest. It was only possible thanks to our generous donors, participants, and volunteers.
Billed as an “Intergalactic” night of trivia, tacos, and kebabs, this year’s event was an exciting evening filled with friendly faces, incredible costumes, hilarious competitions, and of course, sci-fi trivia.
Gallery of Galactic Guests who made AM Trivia Night 2025 Such a Success
A music video featuring Dave Heater, Rachael Lewis, and David Kelley as cosmic invaders beamed down to Seattle – as well as a fun parody of The Beastie Boys’ Intergalactic sung by Amanda Lunger and Jack Cochran – premiered at the event, thanking Food Lifeline for all the amazing work that they do.
Intergalactic Music Video
More Space Invaders
Thank you to the sponsors who not only made Trivia Night 2025 possible, but made it an event that was out-of-this-world:
Avalon Bay Communities, Inc.
RDH Building Science
JLL
A3 Acoustics
Allana Buick & Bers, Inc
Allegion
Andersen Construction
Bell Harbor International Conference
Bellwether Housing
Brumbaugh Associates
CPL
Cross 2 Design
Delta E Consulting
Ecotope
Exxel Pacific
GeoEngineers
HS Wright
JTM
Langan
MoMo Mediterranean
Navix
PAE Engineering
Objeckts
P2s Inc
PCL Construction Services
Pinnacle Live
Red Propeller
Sazan Group
The Space Heaters
Studio Vibrant Design
Swinerton
Taco Cortes
Umpqua Bank
Venture General Contracting
Vulcan
Windermere
Employee Spotlight: 2025 Q1 HOWNOW Champion Dani Murphy
Recognized as 2025’s Q1 HOWNOW Champion, Dani Murphy, Associate HR Systems & Data Analyst, is known throughout the firm as a lynchpin of company culture. She is a key facilitator of our DEIB events and initiatives, and has naturally embodied our HOWs, to ensure that her colleagues feel welcome, accepted, and supported in their work at the firm.
To Dani, Ankrom Moisan’s HOWs represent common values shared by everyone at the firm. “When I first heard about Ankrom Moisan’s HOWNOW values, it was something I had never experienced at any other company,” Dani said. “Seeing that AM cares about how our shared values are presented in-office was inspirational for me.”
“To see that there’s an actual award that is given to people who embody those values, and to have won it, is extremely gratifying,” she added. “It validates all of the work I do.”
Dani on the roof of the Portland office.
When she found out that she was being recognized as 2025’s first HOWNOW Champion, Dani was confused. In fact, Filo Canseco, Senior Graphic Designer, had concocted a plan to trick her into believing that I (Jack Cochran) had won. Reading through the Green Screen In Between script a couple of times announcing 2025’s Q1 winners, Dani’s name was swapped out with my own. On the final take, her name was read as the HOWNOW Champion, something that she had no idea was going to happen.
“I was in a bit of disbelief because we had run through the script a couple of times and all of a sudden Filo was pointing a camera at my face and it clicked,” she said. “I felt extremely flattered and a little tricked. I was like, ‘What has Filo been up to?’”
Once the reality of her recognition set in, Dani was both excited and honored by the surprise. “It was a very heartwarming moment. It was the culmination of all my efforts and hard work,” she said. “To see Ankrom Moisan and my colleagues recognizing that I’m showcasing our HOW values in the workplace was very touching.”
“Honestly, I had a little trouble believing it in the moment,” she added.
Dani finding out about her win.
After reflecting upon her acknowledgement as one of the firm’s HOWNOW Champions, Dani shared the HOWs that she finds the easiest to embody, as well as the ones that are the most difficult to embrace.
“I always go back to ‘Have Fun with It,’” she started. “That’s one of the easiest HOWs to do, and something I think I do with every project I’ve been on at the firm.”
Her involvement with the ongoing Green Screen in Between series is a perfect example of how Dani takes every opportunity she can to have fun with it. Neither Dani nor Filo are afraid of embracing their silly sides, an admission that is apparent upon watching any of the fun-filled segments on Green Screen in Between. “The fact that I’ve been able to show up and showcase who I am on this internal news webcast show with Filo is kind of amazing,” she said. “We get to bring our personalities to it and have a great time. At the end of the day, Green Screen is all about having fun.”
“The recent AANHPI event where we made dumplings, samosas, and lumpia was another example of how we be ourselves and have fun with it,” Dani added. “Being able to come together and have a food and culture-based activity where people are learning and experiencing new things is so amazing. Seeing how excited people got, and how their dumpling-folding skills improved from the first try to the fifth was pretty infectious. It was a great way for us to feel more connected on a personal level, rather than just as coworkers.”
AANHPI Event
As for the most difficult HOWs to embrace, Dani’s conclusion is that is can be ‘Trust.’ “Trust comes with time, partnership, and communication,” she reflected. “It’s not something you have right off the bat. Even when it comes to my partnership with Filo on Green Screen, we have a lot of trust in each other and in the final product, but it wasn’t like that was there on the first day. We talked through it and after some time, that trust began to build naturally. Once you have it, though, great things happen. Hopefully Green Screen is a reflection of that.”
Even though trust can take some time to be established, Dani mentioned that the reason she has excelled at embracing and proliferating the firm’s HOW values is because of the trust and support provided by Rachel Fazio, Vice President of People.
“What helps me be successful is having a great support system,” she said. “For me, that’s having Rachel Fazio as kind of a mentor. Without Rachel, I don’t think anything I would be doing at Ankrom Moisan would ever be possible, much less to the extent that I’m being recognized for. Rachel is amazing and has always been in my corner, providing fantastic feedback when I ask for it, and pushing me to do better and try new things.”
Dani has found that trying new things is the best way to embrace the firm’s HOWs – her advice for young professionals just starting out at the firm and wanting to find their place in the firm’s culture is to “leave your comfort zone.”
“There’s this saying that ‘A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there,’” she said. “It can be scary to do that, but at the end of the day, you will have a new experience, and you never know where that might lead.”
“If I had never taken the time to do DEI Analytics at my previous job, I likely wouldn’t be in the position I am now,” Dani reflected. “If I hadn’t said ‘let’s embrace some change and step out of my comfort zone,’ then I probably never would have stepped in front of a camera.”
Dani’s Reward & Recognition Nomination Video
Dani’s first appearance on-camera for Ankrom Moisan was for 2023’s Pride Event. She was supposed to interview then-President Dave Heater, who encouraged her to step out from behind the camera and do the interview “Barbara Walters style.” Although she was nervous and “sweating a bunch,” Dani gave it a go. She claims that led to her cohosting Ankrom Moisan’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. “I never would have been able to do that if I hadn’t become okay with being uncomfortable at first,” she said.
Now that she feels more comfortable in front of the camera as one of the stars of Green Screen in Between, Dani is excited to get other Ankrom Moisan staff members involved with the program.
“When Green Screen was started, it was intended to highlight what was happening across all three of our offices. Since it’s created for everyone at the firm, we want to make sure people feel they can build their own sense of ownership of it,” Dani said. “We want more people to get involved, because when we all put ourselves out there for Green Screen, it shows that it’s not as scary as people would think. It is just for an internal audience, after all.”
“Just know, if we haven’t tapped you yet, we’re coming. No one is safe” she joked. “Unless you really don’t want to.”
Multigenerational Living is on the Rise
As household structures change and adapt, the trend toward multigenerational living has gained significant traction. This shift is driven by a combination of demographic changes, economic challenges, and shifting consumer preferences, according to the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Research from the Pew Research Center shows that between 1971 and 2021, the number of people living in multigenerational household quadrupled. This dramatic increase is particularly relevant for senior housing, as older adults are choosing to move in with their children and grandchildren.
For senior housing developers and architects, this presents a question. How can living environments accommodate the diverse needs of multigenerational households while enhancing the quality of life for older adults?
Multigenerational Living
Multigenerational living offers a host of benefits for seniors. Enhanced relationships are a major advantage, and emotional support becomes readily available.
When it comes to finances, shared living arrangements can alleviate some of the economic burden that typically accompanies living alone. The findings of ULI show that older adults who live with family often have lower living expenses, which can be a major factor in maintaining a comfortable and secure lifestyle.
The health effects are also notable. Research shows that seniors living with family experience lower levels of stress and improved mental health. The presence of family members can offer practical assistance with health management and encourage healthier lifestyle choices, which are essential for maintaining quality of life as one ages.
A Shift to Intergenerational Communities
Family aside, the rise in multigenerational living reflects a broader societal trend that values inclusion over exclusion. With baby boomers reaching retirement age and seeking to remain active and engaged, there is a growing demand for communities that blend age groups.
Many older adults now view living among people of all generations as a healthier and more fulfilling alternative to traditional age-segregated models. This shift is prompting developers to create communities that foster intergenerational connections.
Such environments offer numerous benefits, including the chance for older adults to share experience and skills, as well as enhanced community health through walkable, accessible neighborhoods, reports the Council on Aging of Central Oregon.
Design
Creating effective senior housing requires a thoughtful approach to design, especially when catering to multigenerational residents. There are several key design considerations that include:
- Private and Communal Spaces: It is important to design amenities that cater to all ages, such as green spaces, community gardens and versatile community rooms for gatherings and classes. Both private and semi-private areas where residents can host small group gatherings or family events should be included.
- Flexible Layouts: Offering a range of floor-plans and unit sizes accommodates different needs. Rooms should be designed with multiple purposes in mind, and providing flexibility in every space facilitates intergenerational interaction.
- Accessibility Features: Applying universal design principles ensures that units and common areas are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. This includes step-free entrances, wide doorways, and accessible bathrooms. Features like grab bars, non-slip flooring and lever handles also enhance accessibility.
Case Study: Mirabella at Arizona State University
Mirabella at Arizona State University (ASU) stands out as a prime example of multigenerational living in senior housing. The 20-story tower, situated at the heart of the ASU campus, offers 298 units of senior housing and serves as a pioneering model of inclusive living.
The building’s amenities are intentionally located to promote connections among residents, families, visitors, students, and faculty. For instance, the Bistro, positioned on the corner of University Avenue with a separate public entrance, offers a youthful and energetic atmosphere that attracts a diverse crowd both day and night.
Directly adjacent to the main entrance, the Lifelong Learning Auditorium underscores the importance of intergenerational education with its own dedicated front-drive access, emphasizing inclusivity from the very entrance. The Art Gallery showcases artwork from residents, students, and alumni, and is visible to passersby on the sidewalk, which is also a key pathway to the campus art classrooms.
Mirabella at Arizona State University (ASU) stands out as a prime example of multigenerational living.
Additionally, Mirabella features three studio apartments reserved for a musician-in-residence program, wherein students live and perform within the building.
Together, these intentional design choices enable a vibrant, welcoming environment where residents of all ages can thrive. As the demand for these types of inclusive environments continue to grow, projects like Mirabella ASU exemplify a new standard for the future of senior living.
Architects can Seize the Day
The continued evolution of household dynamics and growing preference for intergenerational living present both challenges and opportunities for senior housing developers and architects. By embracing these trends and incorporating thoughtful design considerations, architects and designers can create living environments that meet the needs of multigenerational households and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
Moving forward, it is crucial to recognize, understand, and adapt to the growing demand for inclusive, flexible housing solutions that support diverse family structures and promote intergenerational harmony.