Assisted Living Facility Design Review

Introduction

StrideArc was engaged by a senior care franchisor to develop a residential assisted living facility model suited for multi-state expansion. The project required a layout that could adapt to regulatory variations without compromising cost efficiency or design consistency.

The engagement focused on modular planning, efficient space utilization, and implementation readiness across franchise locations.

Project Overview

● Client Type: Senior Care Franchisor

● Engagement Focus: Design Adaptation and Cost Efficiency

● Objectives: Create a modular facility layout adaptable to varying state regulations, reduce non-functional square footage, and support scalable implementation across franchise markets.

The Challenge

StrideArc was brought in during early-stage design to evaluate a proposed residential assisted living model intended for broad geographic rollout. The client’s objective was to support consistent brand standards while allowing for location-specific flexibility. However, the design team was facing structural and regulatory constraints that had not yet been reconciled at the system level.

“The goal was consistency across markets, but the regulations weren’t going to cooperate. The design needed to flex without fragmenting.”

— Principal Consultant, StrideArc

Design constraints were compounded by inefficient use of space in the initial layout, including excessive hallway square footage. The resulting plan increased per-unit construction costs and limited flexibility to accommodate different occupancy caps imposed by state licensing requirements.

The Solution

StrideArc partnered with the client’s design team to develop a modular layout that could scale between 8 and 16 residents, aligning with varying state requirements. The design strategy focused on maintaining a consistent architectural framework while enabling incremental expansion.

“The challenge wasn’t building two layouts. It was creating one structure that could flex across multiple markets without losing efficiency.”

— Design Strategy Lead, StrideArc

StrideArc also led a redesign of circulation space to reduce hallway length and redirect square footage toward shared living areas. Standardized layouts and related assets were then integrated into the franchisor’s internal platform to support consistent implementation by new franchisees.

The Outcome

The modular layout reduced total square footage by eliminating unnecessary circulation space while preserving core program elements. This adjustment lowered construction costs and improved layout adaptability across multiple state regulatory environments.

Design assets were standardized and deployed through the client’s platform, enabling franchisees to access approved layouts without requiring case-by-case design modifications. The client advanced expansion efforts with a consistent, scalable model suitable for diverse markets.

Key Takeaways

StrideArc’s collaboration with the client’s design team resulted in a facility model that balanced regulatory adaptability, cost control, and brand consistency. The final design enabled scalable deployment across markets with minimal redesign.

● Modular layout structure supported licensing requirements across multiple states

● Redesign of circulation areas reduced total square footage and construction costs

● Standardized design assets were integrated into the client’s internal platform for efficient rollout

● The updated model improved implementation speed while maintaining operational consistency

Designing for Growth?

Standardized layouts only work when they can flex without compromise. StrideArc helps development teams align design strategy with operational goals, regulatory constraints, and cost efficiency.

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Design Strategy for a Residential Assisted Living Model