Brio, a WesleyLife Community receives EFA Design Showcase’s Award of Merit

Monday, April 13th, 2020

Pope Architects along with WesleyLife and our project partners, are pleased to announce that Brio, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living received the Award of Merit in the 24th annual EFA Design Showcase program.

The project was honored with the program’s top honor and was published in the Spring issue of Environments for Aging. The EFA Design Showcase offers a compilation of architecture and interior design projects representing outstanding innovative design solutions in new or renovated senior care environments across the nation.

A jury appointed by The Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE), The Center for Health Design, the International Interior Design Association, and the American Society of Interior Designers reviewed submissions.

Check out the digital issue!

EFA has a feature on Brio’s innovation and a gallery slideshow on its website.

More about the community: Brio, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living is designed with wellness as its foundation. It pushes innovation to create a continuum of care community designed fully around healthy living and person-centered care. Sited on 22 acres in a suburb of Des Moines, the community serves 55+ through all stages of care, including end of life and late stage Alzheimer’s. The flow is intuitive; an open plan connects all residents by supporting flexible interactions.

The heart of the community is an innovative Wellness Center that blends skilled therapy and independent fitness. It is the social and physical gateway that connects all residents and households conveniently all year long. Dining environments offer maximum choice with multiple menus, 24-hour food service, and change of scenery at every turn. Community gardens, terraces, paths, and covered pavilions and porches draw residents outdoors.

The architectural aesthetic relates to its neighborhood scale and context. It is based on a modern farmhouse and barn style with a neutral, accented palette. With disciplined budgeting in programming and design, WesleyLife pushed innovation while remaining affordable. Brio is a unique property that embraces a healthy lifestyle. It successfully fulfilled a market need, demonstrated by the fact that it was completely full after six months.

See more photos of the community here.