Innovative Affinity-Based Sooner Station Opens in Norman, Okla.
Austin, Texas – Pi Architects is excited to announce the opening of Sooner Station, an innovative active adult community in Norman, Okla., with a focus on wellness, community, and collaboration. Through integrative design features that bring the indoors and outdoors together in stunning detail, Sooner Station has a 205,798-square-foot footprint with 101 independent living, 64 assisted living, and 24 memory care units.
Medcore Partners, 310 Investments, and Integral Senior Living, in collaboration with Pi Architects, Cowen Construction, SMC Consulting Engineers, TDI Engineering, and EEA Consulting Engineers collaborated this very “Oklahoma community” with elements, colors, art, and memorabilia that reflects the University of Oklahoma (OU) culture. With colors and materials inspired by the local landscape, the feel of the community is part Western flair, part Midwest chic.
Featuring local stone with warm colors to reflect the farmland siloes in the area, Sooner Station boasts a modern front lobby with suspended ceiling elements over the reception desk and a coffee bar flanked by tall windows overlooking the space. Carpeting has a native American vibe with rich, dusty colors that complement the stone.
In addition to elegant yet functional living spaces, residents will enjoy upscale amenities as well as an affiliation with the Oklahoma University Alumni Association and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, with opportunities to enjoy, participate, and benefit from various educational courses, special game-day packages, and more.
In addition to lifelong learning, wellness, and whole person programming, Sooner Station offers myriad opportunities to socialize and connect in a variety of venues. An onsite sports pub is filled with OU Sooners colors and sports memorabilia. Variations on the OU colors are spread throughout the building and complemented by collages of historical pieces related to OU art, maps, and vintage photos.
“We tried to make it elegant yet casual and welcoming, so anyone who enters the building would feel comfortable. It has a universal appeal with an Oklahoma vibe,” says Mark Warrick, AIA, Pi vice president. “The building has a good flow and is easy to navigate. Common areas are focal points, but they’re expanded in size by connections to outdoor spaces.”
Tiffany Cobern, director of senior housing operations at Medcore, notes, “Programming, relationships, and design all come together; and we’ve created a community that is unique and purposeful. It has already attracted tremendous interest, and it meets the needs of consumers with a targeted approach.” She and her team began forging relationships with OU three years ago, and they are pleased that one focus of Sooner Station involves lifelong learning opportunities through the university for residents.
“We’re always thinking about ways to rewrite the narrative and bring innovations and freshness to the industry. We’re pleased to bring communities like Sooner Station to the market that immediately resonate with each market’s customer base,” Cobern adds.
About Pi Architects
As one of the largest and most comprehensive Senior Living design firms in the United States, the Pi team includes experts in Master Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design. Visit www.piarch.com for more information.
For more project details, click here: Sooner Station at University North Park