How to Begin a Successful Senior Living Renovation

We’ve all heard the horror stories: budgets that balloon, unexpected discoveries behind the walls, timelines that stretch far beyond expectations. Renovations and repositionings in senior living are notoriously complex — but they don’t have to be overwhelming.

With the right team, thoughtful planning and a touch of creativity, a renovation can do more than update finishes or refresh tired spaces. They can help communities rediscover their purpose, reimagine how care is delivered and reenergize residents and staff alike.

At RDG, we’ve seen firsthand how even small investments can make a big difference and how thoughtful design continues to shape the future of senior living. We’ve also embraced the sustainability mindset behind the 2030 Challenge, which reminds us that the greenest building is often the one that already exists. Renovation gives communities the chance to honor their history while positioning for the future, extending the life of buildings that hold meaning, reducing environmental impact and making smart use of limited resources.

And while every renovation comes with its share of surprises, the most successful ones share a few common traits: curiosity, collaboration and clarity of purpose. From identifying what’s already working to dreaming beyond what’s currently there, each step in the process is a chance to make something old feel new again — and to create spaces that truly support the next generation of residents.

The path to a successful renovation starts with curiosity and creativity. It starts with understanding what already exists and daring to envision what could be. In part one of this series, we’ll explore how uncovering the potential within your current spaces can lay the groundwork for every decision that follows.

Understand the Bones of the Space

The first key to a successful renovation is understanding the bones of the space. It can be tempting to start from scratch, but a thoughtful approach begins with listening to the building, to its users and to its history. Every community has spaces that work well, elements built to last and places that hold collective memory; recognizing what’s of quality and what’s meaningful allows design teams to preserve the best while reimagining what’s next.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by getting the full design team on site early. There’s simply no substitute for walking a space, seeing how light moves through it, hearing how residents use it and observing how systems function. Notably, involving engineers from the start helps identify existing infrastructure that may significantly influence the project’s scope and budget, allowing for smarter, more proactive planning.

Technology can also play a big role in understanding existing conditions. Tools like LiDAR scanning help document spaces in three dimensions, creating a highly accurate digital model that team members can explore remotely. Because scans can often be completed by a single person using a backpack, tripod or handheld device, this technology ultimately saves time and reduces the need for repeat site visits, minimizing disruption for residents. The result is a virtual 3D walkthrough that gives designers and contractors the information they need to plan confidently and efficiently.

Finally, engaging residents is a vital part of the process. Renovation can be more disruptive than new construction and gaining buy-in from current residents while planning for future residents is key. Post-occupancy evaluations from organizations like SAGE offer helpful data, but nothing replaces direct conversation.

Focus groups and interactive events create opportunities for residents to share feedback and feel part of the transformation. At John Knox Village, for example, RDG hosted a “furniture fair” where residents tested and voted on chairs being considered for the project. That process built rapport and enthusiasm, turning potential disruption into anticipation. By combining that kind of human insight with hands-on observation and advanced digital tools, design teams and owners can develop a deeper understanding of both the physical and emotional framework of a community. 

At Manor Park in Midland, Texas, that holistic approach revealed an underused double-height dining space that proved ideal for a pickleball court. With minimal changes to the building envelope, RDG transformed the space into the heart of a new wellness center — a vibrant hub for all levels of care and a powerful marketing and staff recruitment tool.

Think Creatively Beyond What Currently Exists

Once the design team understands the bones of the space, the next step is to think creatively about what could be. This begins with a deep dive into existing documentation and a close partnership with a structural engineer to understand exactly how the building was put together. While it’s often most cost-effective to fit new program needs within the existing structure, that doesn’t mean every wall or column has to stay. Not every barrier is structural, and sometimes, what appears to be fixed can be reimagined. Structural awareness early in the process helps balance creativity with practicality. Modifying major components (e.g., moving columns, removing bearing walls or cutting large openings in multi-story buildings), can become expensive fast. But knowing which elements are truly load-bearing and which are not opens up possibilities for smarter, more flexible design.

At Manor Park, for example, RDG initially explored renovation schemes that maintained existing corridor walls, effectively compartmentalizing the space into the footprint of former resident rooms. After a closer review with structural partners, we realized most of those walls could be safely removed — a discovery that allowed the design to fulfill the owner’s vision for an open, light-filled strength training and functional fitness gym, all without compromising the building’s structure. By understanding how the existing framework worked, we were able to strategically align new partitions with existing column lines, concealing them within necessary walls and achieving both beauty and efficiency.

Once the team understands the needs of the community and the opportunities within the existing structure, that’s when the real creativity begins. Every renovation is an act of discovery — finding what’s possible within what already exists and transforming limitations into design opportunities. It’s about seeing potential where others see limits, asking “what if?” and using technical understanding to turn bold ideas into buildable solutions. Once the design team knows what’s possible within the existing structure, the next step is to align that vision with the project’s operational and financial realities, ensuring that creativity stays grounded in purpose.

Setting the Stage for What Comes Next

Renovation begins long before construction crews arrive. It starts with curiosity by teams willing to look closely at what’s already there and imagine what could be. By combining human insight with technical understanding, communities can uncover new opportunities hidden within familiar walls and transform limitations into possibilities.

This early phase is about discovery and visioning: understanding the bones of the building, rethinking how spaces function and daring to see potential where others might see obstacles. But curiosity alone isn’t enough. Once a vision begins to take shape, success depends on translating that creative energy into action — defining clear goals, building the right team and ensuring every decision aligns with both the operational model and the community’s larger purpose.

In the next part of this series, we’ll explore how to move from what if to what works: how to ground big ideas in financial and structural reality, assemble a team that collaborates from day one and carry that sense of flexibility and trust through construction and beyond.