Senior Living Community Receives National Award for Its Design

As you walk through the doors of The Ridge senior living community, the 10-foot tall windows and grand wall waterfall welcome you. It’s a scene most commonly associated with a 5-star hotel. This is the aesthetic designers aimed to achieve while sketching out the design for this upscale assisted living and memory care community. Within a year of opening its doors, The Ridge has received a national award for it’s innovative, resident-focused model.

The Senior Living by Design Award, presented by Argentum, is given to five communities each year. It honors the architects, design firms and senior living providers that achieve innovative architecture in senior living. A panel of independent judges evaluates several aspects of design including, innovation and operational excellence in areas of memory care, local community engagement, resident health and wellness, and resident safety.

“We’re proud to be selected as having one of the best senior living designs in the country,” said Sheryl Johnston, executive director of The Ridge. “We truly wanted to bring the Salt Lake City community atmosphere into our walls. Every day, our residents can look outside their windows and see the mountains and mesas surrounding them. It’s an ambience like no other in the area.”

The Ridge management team worked together with area building contractors and designers to make sure the community fit the needs of future residents. Austin, Texas-area interior design firm studioSIX5 created the unique finishing’s within the community’s walls. The Ridge staff helped in deciding the fixtures and even the design of the carpet. All the designers were inspired by the mountain landscape. The Ridge includes natural stone and wood tone finishes, and the large windows give natural light to the picturesque environment.

“The Salt Lake City community is full of activities, color and adventure,” noted Johnston. “We wanted to use this landscape as we created our community. Our residents are vibrant and excited to enjoy new experiences and meaningful endeavors. The Ridge aims to change the misperceptions of a senior living community.”

The Ridge offers 148 assisted living and memory care apartments. Residents enjoy an upscale restaurant and bistro, beauty salon and state-of-the-art wellness center among many other amenities. The community is one of more than 60 communities managed by Integral Senior Living.