A new two-building, 27-story senior living community in Tysons, Virginia, emphasizes wellness and biophilic design elements. The Mather, a luxury community for adults age 62 and older, sits on a small lot surrounded by high-rise buildings.
Due to the small size of the site, wellness amenity spaces, such as a hydroponic garden, salt therapy room and infrared sauna, were prioritized over typical senior living amenity spaces.
The buildings were designed to create light-filled interior spaces, with their axes rotated 45 degrees to the street grid and 90 degrees to each other, improving privacy and views.
The interiors juxtapose curves and straight lines, reflective glass and light-absorbing stone, calming blue-greens with energetic citrine and fuchsia, warm champagne with cool chrome metals. These juxtapositions bring energy and vitality, and the colour palette integrates biophilic design by referencing natural elements.
The spaces maximize natural light and encourage interaction with the outdoors, whether that be doing yoga on the terrace, enjoying al fresco dining or relaxing by the saltwater pool. Residential units feature open floor plans with large windows that maximize natural light and natural stone and wood interior finishes.
The three-acre park encourages guests to strengthen their connection to the outdoors through a nature program that includes forest bathing and qigong (a calming, immune-boosting exercise) optimized for natural surroundings.
The facility also hosts an on-site beekeeping program and a curated collection of art, sculptures, and accessories aimed at welcoming people of all nationalities and cultures.
Owner and/or developer: Mather
Design Architect: Solomon Caldwell Buenz & Associates
Architect of Record: Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates
MEP Engineer: Affiliated Engineers Inc. (AEI)
Structural Engineer: Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd.
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Whiting Turner Contracting Company
