Flexible Seating for Active Aging
As Livonia’s senior population continued to grow, the city recognized the need to expand and modernize its existing senior center. Livonia’s former Civic Park Senior Center, an often leaky, 60 year-old retrofitted church building, had become outdated and increasingly inadequate for the range of programs and services it supported. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the facility’s limitations, reinforcing the need for a safer, healthier, and more accessible environment for older residents.
Through secured funding, the City of Livonia developed a new Senior Wellness Center adjacent to the Jack E. Kirksey Recreation Center, creating a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed specifically with seniors in mind. The new building features a dedicated circular drive with a covered canopy entrance, separate parking, a renovated fitness center, flexible rooms with moveable walls, an expanded kitchen and dining area, a new café and lounge, and adaptable wellness and fitness spaces.
Furniture selection played a critical role in supporting the vision for this new center. Every design decision prioritized comfort, accessibility, and flexibility, ensuring the space could easily adapt to evolving programs and daily use. The goal was to create a commons area that felt welcoming, functional, and intuitive, allowing seniors to move independently and participate fully in activities.
The installation was carefully planned to align with the construction schedule and operational needs of the facility. Coordination between the project team ensured furniture delivery and setup were completed efficiently and with minimal disruption, allowing the center to open fully equipped and on schedule.
A key challenge was identifying seating that could support a wide variety of activities while remaining lightweight, comfortable, and easy to store. The Paisans® Chair proved to be an ideal solution. Its ergonomic design allows seniors to maneuver seating with ease, while its stackable construction and compatible cart provide quick storage and effortless space reconfiguration. The chair’s clean, approachable aesthetic also complements the bright, welcoming interior of the new commons area.
The installation team noted the Paisans chairs required minimal setup, contributing to a smooth installation process with no significant post-installation adjustments. Since opening, the Paisans seating has continued to perform well as the space transitions between social gatherings, fitness classes, educational programming, and special events.
The City of Livonia has found the Paisans Chair to be a strong fit for the Senior Wellness Center, citing its lightweight design, comfort, and versatility. Based on performance and usability, the solution is confidently recommended for similar senior-focused and community environments.
Success Factors
- Prioritizing user comfort and accessibility
- Selecting flexible, easy-to-store furniture
- Aligning product choices with the daily realities of senior use
The new Livonia Senior Wellness Center represents a meaningful step forward in serving the city’s older residents and is the first major implementation of Livonia Vision 21, a community-inspired master plan adopted in 2019. The initiative aims to reimagine Livonia’s city center with walkable, mixed-use spaces that foster connection, vitality, and a true sense of place.
By choosing the Paisans Chair from Source International, the City of Livonia created a commons space that supports flexibility, independence, and engagement, demonstrating how thoughtful furniture selection can enhance both functionality and quality of life for the senior community for years to come.
