Taking inspiration from the local Mission San Rafael – among other historic Spanish missions in California – Aegis Living San Rafael embraces a traditional California Mission Revival aesthetic to establish an active yet relaxing senior living community that stands out in the neighborhood while drawing upon elements of regional history.
Two courtyards maximize the limited space available on-site, melding with interior spaces to facilitate a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. The first courtyard connects to the Mercado dining area, while the second is part of the Memory Care Garden programming – complete with donkeys as decor and a patio deck.
Materials like stucco feature heavily on the exterior of the building, giving it a hand-made appearance. Although Aegis San Rafael’s design is restrained overall, ornate details and hidden flairs catch the eye and solidify the California Mission Revival design.
Hand-painted tiles adorn archways and iron-wrought gates line the limits of the property, as well as decorative balconies above. A water fountain is tucked into a wall, framed underneath an arch and surrounded by bespoke tiling. At the top of the building, a domed bell tower with windows and patio seating pulls away from the rest of the Sky Lounge deck, providing a romantic silhouette, while a statue of Saint Raphael looks over the porte-cochere, or covered passenger drop-off.