ABSTRACT

When we designed The Current South Shore, our goal was to enhance the mental, physical, and social wellbeing of its residents, caregivers, and their families. Now that The Current South Shore’ is majority occupied, it was an ideal time to revisit and assess how well our design intentions are being fulfilled. The ‘Designing for Wellbeing’ Study was a multi-phase post occupancy engagement study that directly engaged residents, their families, and their caregivers to learn about their experiences living and working at The Current South Shore. The study assessed success across eight dimensions of wellbeing: health & safety, comfort & function, convenience & access, social connection, connection to nature, independence, choice & adaptability, and beauty & delight. Study insights aim to inform future design and operations decisions, to elevate the quality of life and wellbeing in Senior Living Residences. We further hope this study also offered the residents, families, and caregivers of The Current South Shore a chance to collectively reflect on the aspects they cherish about their new community.

We launched the study in the summer of 2025. We used a mixed methods approach to hear from leadership, caregiver and hospitality staff, residents, and their families. We combined site visits and surveys to evaluate the residential units, common areas, and overall sense of community. Across 60 surveys and over 700 comments, we heard that the community’s social vibrancy is supported by bright aesthetics, a bar and dining rooms that anchor daily life, and multi-purpose rooms and a fitness center that facilitate better health and social benefits. Overall, The Current excels in Social Connection, Beauty & Delight, and Choice & Adaptability, while targeted design and operational fixes would strengthen Health & Safety, Convenience & Access, and Comfort and Function.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FINDINGS

MEASURES

Wellbeing encompasses various aspects of our lives, from an invigorating yoga session to sharing a meaningful moment with a close friend. To fully understand wellbeing, we need a comprehensive approach to measurement. This study focuses on eight key dimensions of wellbeing:

HEALTH & SAFETY

Make spaces safe to use, emphasizing security and building amenities that support healthier lifestyle choices.

COMFORT & FUNCTION

Focus on proper location, sizing, space use, and a ‘home feeling’.

Convenience & Access

Emphasize ease of use and accessibility within the private residence and the wider community.

SOCIAL CONNECTION

Encourage meaningful social interactions and participation across generations.

CONNECTION WITH NATURE

Foster opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

INDEPENDENCE

Support ability-focused living that celebrates residents’ unique strengths.

CHOICE & ADAPTABILITY

Ensure the availability of different and flexible spaces that support changing and diverse needs and preferences.

BEAUTY & DELIGHT

Create spaces that are visually appealing and enjoyable for all users.

TIMELINE

June 2, 2025
‍‍SmithGroup design team visits The Current South Shore to introduce the study and talk with residents and staff.

June 9, 2025
Launch online survey  and snapshot survey.

June 10, 2025
SmithGroup design team comes back to The Current South Shore to assist residents with taking the survey.  

August 9, 2025
Close out surveys.

August 2025 ‍
‍SmithGroup returns to The Current South Shore to present on findings and their implications for future design decisions.

September 2025
‍Publish report of findings on project website and close out the study.

SURVEY

Online Survey
Starting on June 9th residents, staff, and families are invited to share their experiences in The Current South Shore through an online survey. Take the survey now »

The 20-minute survey is one piece of a larger Designing for Wellbeing Study, aimed at better understanding how well and in what ways the design of The Current supports the mental, physical, and social wellbeing of staff, residents, and families. Information from the online survey will be analyzed to inform the design of future senior living residences, provide feedback to Monarch Communities, and reported to everyone who participated in the survey.

Snapshot Survey
The Snapshot survey is designed to capture occupants’ experience in shared areas as a snapshot of a given place and time. Residents, caregivers, and visiting family members are encouraged to take these 2-minute surveys repeatedly.

1. There are flyers posted throughout the center.
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2.  Each flyer has a unique QR code.  Scan the QR code with your phone camera and follow the website link that appears on the screen.
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3.  Answer the 4 questions.
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4.  Repeat this process in different common areas and at different times of the day.

Disclaimer: No personal identifying information is collected in these surveys. Responses will be analyzed and communicated in aggregate. There is no association between your residency or employment at The Current South Shore and taking this survey. Taking the survey is optional and you may close out of the survey at any time.

SURVEY

The survey has been completed and is no longer available.

POE STUDIES

Post-Occupancy Engagement Studies (POEs) explore how well a building is meeting its design intent after occupants have settled in. At SmithGroup, POEs focus on capturing occupants’ experience of the space.

As a learning organization, we are committed to critically examine our work and apply that knowledge to Design a Better Future©. POEs help us do that by evaluating performance, improving current operations, building relationships, and enhancing future designs.

While each POE is designed to meet unique project needs and design intents, all our POEs follow a consistent set of phasing include: scoping, socializing, mixed methods, co-constructing of shared meaning, and communicating actionable insights.
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STUDY TEAM

Design & Research Study Team:
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BONITA COOK

DENGE AGOLA

LEIGH SNOW

ALISON FAESCHER

MICHAL RUSSO

Email Bonita Cook bonita.cook@smithgroup.com for more information.
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SmithGroup is a leading national architecture, engineering, and planning firm with over 165 years of experience designing innovative, sustainable environments. As an integrated firm, our multidisciplinary teams collaborate across a range of markets, including healthcare, science and technology, higher education, workplace, and urban environments. SmithGroup brings thoughtful, research-driven solutions that enhance communities, inspire people, and address the complex challenges of the built environment.