Building a socially vibrant, healthy community for people of all ages and abilities
The Client: Sonders Fort Collins
The Challenge: Residents in Fort Collins need housing options that are compatible with their changing lifestyles. To help meet the demand, developer Sonders created Sonders Fort Collins, a sustainable community for “active-agers” seeking more free time, fun, activities, and meaning in life. With a desire to ensure that the community and homes within it best supported the unique needs of older adults, Sonders sought technical guidance.
Our Approach: IBE provided this technical support with its research of evidence-based best practices for design and construction that contribute to a healthy, sustainable, age- and disability-friendly community. Working closely with the developer, IBE piloted its new Lifelong Communities certification program on Sonders Fort Collins. Sonders incorporated specific community features to support active, healthy, sustainable, accessible living — and also supported the development and certification of Lifelong Homes — earning the community the world’s first-ever pilot Lifelong Communities pre-certification.
The Outcomes: The integration of Lifelong qualities into the community has created a safe, healthy, and accessible place for people of any age or ability to age in place. Sonders is also educating homebuyers about Lifelong Homes features and offering them support in pursuing pilot Lifelong Homes certifications for their individual houses.
Project Goals
- Identify factors that contribute to an age-friendly and socially sustainable community
- Guide the world’s first Lifelong Community pre-certification
Deliverables
- Lifelong Homes criteria integrated into development of Sonders homes and community
