St. Paul’s Plaza is a four-story senior community in Chula Vista, thoughtfully designed to provide underserved residents with assisted living and memory care that feels inviting and home-like, not institutional. Our design process began by interviewing seniors and their families, gaining insights into how they spend time together and what they value most. These conversations shaped nearly every aspect of the project, from family-friendly spaces like playgrounds to the distinctive clock tower and architectural massing that responds to the nearby retail district. Anchored in the Otay Ranch neighborhood, St. Paul’s Plaza embraces Southern California’s mild climate while offering a grand yet comfortable community that feels rooted in its environment. Our approach combines beautiful, functional design that integrates healthcare needs with a sense of home. Inside, a warm, earth-toned palette and textured details reflect the region’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, with features like wrought iron, box-beam ceilings, and stone archways that create an inviting, tactile atmosphere. The design also emphasizes flexibility and community. Every floor includes shared living areas with kitchens, ideal for family visits, while memory care is organized into smaller neighborhoods, each with its own kitchen and living room. Functionality is key throughout, with wide corridors, 42-inch doors for wheelchair access, and durable finishes that support residents’ physical needs. Common spaces at St. Paul’s Plaza serve multiple purposes, such as turning the courtyard and entrance area into an outdoor event space or using the bar area and grand staircase for activities like choir performances. Drawing on our experience in both public and private sectors, we created a community that’s both practical and comforting, meeting the needs of residents while helping them feel truly at home.