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Clearwater Newport Beach - Courtyard
Douglas Pancake Architects
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Variel Senior Living project in Woodland Hills, CA
W.E. O’Neil Construction
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Course Description:
This program explores key principles of senior living design, focusing on safety, accessibility, and resident health and well-being. Attendees will learn how to apply universal design strategies, meet regulatory requirements, and create spaces that foster connection and engagement for aging populations.
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Learning Objectives:
- Upon conclusion of this course, attendees will be able to identify and apply universal design strategies (e.g., ADA accessibility, the need for wider hallways, appropriate lighting for the aging, acoustics) that support mobility, safety, and independence for aging residents.
- Attendees will learn the importance of how well-designed floor plans, daylighting, and biophilic design improve residents physical and mental health well-being, and how to integrate these elements into new and renovated senior living spaces.
- Attendees will learn how to interpret and apply key building codes, ADA requirements, and life safety regulations that are unique to senior living facilities (e.g., fire safety, nurse call systems, wayfinding).
- Attendees will analyze how spatial programming such as shared dining areas, activity rooms, and outdoor courtyards encourages social interaction, reduces isolation, and supports diverse levels of care (independent, assisted, memory care) for the health and well-being of the residents.
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Douglas Pancake
With 30 years of experience, Douglas Pancake specializes in therapeutic architectural design for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In 2010, he founded Douglas Pancake Architects with a mission to create meaningful environments for the agingpopulation. He holds a Bachelor of Art in Architecture from the University of New Mexico and a postgraduate certificate from Johns Hopkins in the Business of Senior Housing. Doug has contributed to the development of the Household Model Skilled Nursing Facility building code with CDPH and OSHPD and serves on the California Office of State Fire Marshal, RCFE Code Advisory Committee. He is also a Certified Eden Associate and has designed elder-care environments for both for-profit and non-profit clients.
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Andy Herrera
Andy has over 30 years of construction experience in both the public and private sectors. With a degree in civil engineering and expertise in preconstruction, estimating, and project management, he leads the business development team in capturing new clients and opportunities across California.
Emulating one of W.E. O’Neil’s core values of building great relationships, Andy works closely with the client, A/E consultants, and team members and provides vital insight, creating the ability to tackle logistics, constructability, and project costs thoughtfully.
As a member of the company’s executive management team, he oversees the business development and marketing departments. He provides a supportive role to all team members, helping to maintain the “family feel” of a small company while allowing them to thrive and grow in their positions.
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Joshua Smith
As a Principal and Director of Project Management, Joshua leads multiple teams in the successful delivery of projects across diverse market sectors, guiding each from concept through construction with precision, collaboration, and care. With over two decades of experience in architecture and construction, he brings a steadfast commitment to design excellence and the creation of human-centered environments that enhance the quality of life for their users.
Joshua’s portfolio spans a broad range of project types including healthcare and senior living communities, custom residential and multifamily housing, K–12 schools, higher education facilities, and retail environments, each reflecting his ability to balance design vision with technical execution. His experience in these sectors has deepened his understanding of how thoughtful, well-coordinated design can support wellness, learning, connection, and functionality across all stages of life.
Joshua’s leadership is grounded in empathy and purpose. He believes that architecture has the power to elevate the human experience, and that even the simplest gestures—whether through thoughtful design, clear communication, or genuine consideration can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, and comprehensive approach, Joshua is highly skilled in guiding teams to produce constructible, coordinated, and detailed construction documents that translate design vision into buildable reality. His dedication to quality, efficiency, and collaboration ensures that every project meets the highest standards of performance, budget, and schedule while preserving the integrity of the design intent.
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Date: November 13, 2025
Time:
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Networking
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Program
Learning Units: 1 AIA HSW
Location:
AIA Orange County, 1981 Orchard Dr., Newport Beach 92660
Cost: AIAOC Members $10 | Non-Members $20
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