To meet the growing demand for high-quality senior living environments, Azura Senior Living expanded its network with a newly constructed facility in Verona, Wisconsin. Designed to offer both assisted living and memory care, the two-story building features four thoughtfully planned wings on each floor—two dedicated to memory care and two to assisted living. The challenge? Creating a space that seamlessly blends the durability required for senior care with the warmth and familiarity of home.

Achieving this delicate balance required close collaboration between Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) and Henricksen. EUA led the interior design efforts, while Henricksen provided comprehensive procurement services, including furniture, art, accessories, signage, and window treatments, ensuring that every design choice supported both functionality and comfort.

“The vision started with a farmhouse exterior,” said Karen Davis, Senior Interior Designer at EUA. “On the interior, we wanted to introduce mid-century modern elements to create a fresh yet familiar aesthetic.” To further enhance the residential feel, common areas were designed around the concept of seasons—summer, fall, spring, and winter—bringing warmth and visual variety to the community. These themes guided the selection of furnishings, color palettes, and artwork to create a distinct identity for each space while maintaining a cohesive atmosphere throughout the facility.

Henricksen’s dedicated senior living team, with over 15 years of expertise in the sector, conducted extensive interviews with Azura to understand their unique needs. Through budgeting exercises and guided tours of similar projects, they helped Azura staff gather insights and apply lessons learned to refine the design. The collaborative process culminated in a detailed charette, where each selection was reviewed and approved.

“Henricksen worked with us and the client on the design,” said Davis. “The whole thing really came to life between the interior architecture and the furniture.”

A key differentiator of Azura’s approach is its household model, designed to foster social interaction and reduce feelings of isolation often experienced by seniors. Each household includes a receiving area for visitors, a formal dining space, a cozy parlor, and a great room, all scaled to feel like a private residence rather than an institution.

“Azura is unique in that we provide a household model,” said Matthew Lyons, Director of Development at Azura Living. “From a care perspective, we want to help combat the isolation and depression often faced by seniors. We have household entrances to each wing that help shift the mindset of visitors and residents by reinforcing the normal social cues associated with entering into people’s homes.”

To maintain a home-like feel while ensuring durability, careful attention was given to the selection of furniture and materials. The dining area features Duracare aluminum-framed chairs with a wood-look finish, offering both elegance and resilience. Soft seating solutions were sourced from Fairfield and H-Contract, while resident room furniture—including bedside tables, headboards, mattresses, and box springs—was provided by Kwalu.

Dining spaces were intentionally designed to avoid a cafeteria-like atmosphere. A mix of seating arrangements, including two-tops and activity tables, created a dynamic and inviting dining experience.

“It doesn’t feel like an institutional dining room,” said Lyons. “It feels like a home where you can choose your own seating arrangement.”

Throughout the community, thoughtful design choices—such as color distinctions to differentiate spaces and bold touches like a pink ceiling—helped create a vibrant and welcoming environment. Artwork played a key role in reinforcing the homelike atmosphere, integrating historical elements from the surrounding community while featuring curated pieces on every wall.

With its blend of high-end residential aesthetics, durable furnishings, and a strong emphasis on creating a true sense of home, Azura Verona sets a new standard for senior living. The project not only enhances residents' quality of life but also serves as a model for future assisted living and memory care communities.