La Posada is a continuing care retirement community on a 125-acre site in Green Valley. Lizard Rock Designs worked with La Posada’s senior staff on an update to their existing master site plan and provide a new master plan for an additional 200 acre site north of their current campus. The client was concerned any proposed expansion of services preserve the open, rural character of the site.

LRD undertook an analysis of the campuses of La Posada’s six main competitors in Tucson and Phoenix. The study showed that La Posada’s campus was unique in its low density. The design team proposed a series of open space areas and “green belts” to preserve openness, views and landscape while increasing overall density. The design is planned in clusters around a central, shaded parking court to respond to the demanding desert climate. The clusters are arranged to take full advantage of solar orientation, water harvesting and natural wind patterns. In addition, each cluster has access via pedestrian paths to the common dining facilities in the adjacent apartment building.

Future expansion plans for development of 200-acres north of the existing site will accommodate a three-fold increase in the number of independent houses on site. To support this future development, facilities for community meetings and performances, recreational facilities and light retail have also been included in the master plan. The plan will be implemented in phases over the next fifteen years.