San Sereno takes top honours in Senior Living by Design Awards

Bryanston-based senior living community San Sereno has taken top honours, alongside four other international counterparts, as one of five winners of the Argentum 2020 Senior Living by Design Awards.

San Sereno is owned by Auria Senior Living.

The annual Senior Living by Design Awards recognises architects, design firms and senior living providers who create quality senior living communities in innovative ways. Winners were selected by an independent panel of four judges in the fields of architecture, design and senior living. Each submission is evaluated on aspects of design innovation and operational excellence in areas of memory care, community engagement, family engagement, sustainability, resident engagement, resident health and wellness and resident safety.

Of the five winners, San Sereno was the only entry from outside the United States.

Auria founder and CEO Barry Kaganson explained that their vision was to establish a new gold standard for senior living in South Africa brought about by their dismay over the institutional and depressing environments created by conventional ‘retirement villages’ in South Africa.

“Our aim with San Sereno was to provide a new, contemporary and luxurious approach to senior living design that was practical, yet aesthetically pleasing. We wanted to have a positive impact on residents’ lives through their daily experience of using and moving through the new spaces, and to ensure that they could enjoy their best quality of life.”

Sen Sereno, Auria’s flagship senior living community, was acquired in 2017 and renovated extensively to create the space it is today.

The village houses more than 350 residents comprising 214 independent living units (houses and apartments), 50 assisted living units and a dementia care facility. The renovated buildings allow residents to live in an appealing environment that they can be proud of while engaging in stimulating activities, delicious meals and exciting events.

President and CEO of Argentum James Balda congratulated Auria and said, “It is communities such as yours that continue to drive the industry forward.”

Kaganson said, “We are proud and honoured to have received this award. It shows that we can indeed change the face of the industry in the South African context, and provide places in which seniors can grow older with dignity and enjoyment in an environment that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

Related articles:

Pantomime spreads joy at San Sereno Retirement Village

WATCH: San Sereno residents put on Cinderella pantomime