Milton, MA With the addition of a new, expanded gym for the residents of Fuller Village, this dynamic, independent senior living community is keeping pace with the changing lifestyles of senior citizens.  Featuring a design by John V. Downie Architect, the recent improvements enhance a living arrangement that gives residents to convenient, state-of-the-art fitness facilities right in their own community.

“Over the last several years, I’ve been working with Fuller Village to create a comprehensive master plan that anticipates the changing needs of seniors and makes Fuller Village an especially enjoyable place to live. A key part of this plan was improving and expanding the fitness facilities, which already included an indoor pool and small fitness room,” said Downie. Downie’s new design incorporated two much larger fitness rooms and expanded locker rooms. He designed the expansion to integrate seamlessly with other common spaces and the existing architecture.  A focus on better light and views through expansive windows, improved visibility from other common spaces (contributing to a lively atmosphere), and better flow amongst the various fitness spaces creates a whole that feels like much more than the sum of its parts. 

Senior citizens are a growing population with healthier lifestyles than previous generations.  In fact, government statistics show that by 2030, the population aged 50 and over is expected to increase by 20% to 132 million people.

In the past two decades alone, an evolution in lifestyle choices from residents of senior living communities -- including better nutrition, medical and technological advancements, and reduction in smoking habits -- resulted in an overall focus on a healthier quality of life.  This emergent profile of senior citizens helped inform the design concept for both Downie and the construction company selected for the build-out.

The 5,000 s/f addition carried out by Curtis Construction for the Milton Fuller Housing Corp. complements the emerging profile of senior residents who are healthier, more active, and more interested in a range of activities and fitness options.

Safety was paramount during the construction process. Special care was constantly taken to ensure safe and unimpeded access through the common hallways and lobby that had to stay accessible to staff and residents during the entire construction process.

“Communication was key to help ensure residents’ safety during construction hours,” said John Curtis, president of Curtis Construction. “We worked with the Fuller Village staff to keep the residents notified in advance if the common hallway area would be temporarily restricted, allowing staff and residents to plan accordingly. We ensured that our subs were diligent in keeping the area free of any construction equipment or debris at all times, that residents of every physical ability had safely access passage in around our work areas when needed, and we made sure the tradesmen understood the importance of keeping the area clean and free of tripping hazards at all times.”

Key findings that helped fill in the design effort for both Downie and Curtis Construction for a facility of this type included current home ownership on the decline as people become older; between the ages of 55 and 64 home ownership declined compared to same age group a decade ago, suggesting at 55 people begin divesting themselves of their homes and transitioning to rental and leased properties.

Downie elaborated, “We placed the expansion at the front of the Commons building to emphasize the importance of these amenities to the residents. We also made sure that the new fitness center was visible from inside the building as well to underscore its role as part of residents’ daily lives.” 

This new construction project included new locker rooms that were doubled in size; and a dedicated fitness studio for a full range of fitness classes, including yoga, strength training and cardio fitness. The new space was designed to blend in with the existing building and required new foundations to be poured adjacent to the indoor pool facility.

The construction of the new gym began in October 2016 and was completed in May of 2017.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the gym and fitness center was held in June to reveal the new fitness facility to both residents and staff.

Project team: Curtis Construction Co............general contractor

Sean Farrell Excavation Inc. .................site work

Cole Cabinet ...........................architectural woodwork 

John V. Downie Architect ............architect