Creating Spaces for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities The Search for a Place to Belong For many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the transition into adulthood comes with a difficult reality: limited options for independent living, social connection and long-term support. Across the country, families are searching for environments where their loved ones can not only live safely, but thrive as active, valued members of a community. “Design has an important role to play in creating these much-needed spaces,” said Alanna Conner, Senior Associate at Cooper Carry. “At Cooper Carry, we believe the built environment should foster meaningful connections between people.” Amber Grace Community at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, embodies that philosophy. Designed as a supportive residential community for adults with IDD, Amber Grace demonstrates how thoughtful design can cultivate independence, encourage social interaction, and, most importantly, create a true sense of belonging. Image captions Moving Beyond Institutional Models Amber Grace is a faith-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 by David and Debbie Turner, who are parents of their adult daughter with Down Syndrome. They founded the Amber Grace Community at Georgia’s Berry College after recognizing the urgent need for post-secondary school programs and services for adults with intellectual disabilities that offer a sense of belonging and agency, as well as allow them to be contributors to their community. Cooper Carry was tapped to provide architecture, interior design and experiential graphic design services for the community, working alongside program manager Gleeds America and Choate Construction to realize the vision for Amber Grace. Historically, residential environments for individuals with IDD have often prioritized operational efficiency over experiences, resulting in settings that can feel isolating. Yet research shows that autonomy and community engagement are essential to overall well-being. “The challenge for us as designers is to create environments that provide appropriate support while preserving dignity and independence,” said Kyle Harris, Associate at Cooper Carry. “At Amber Grace, every design decision was guided by this balance.” Situated on a 10-acre site on Berry College’s campus, the master-planned community was intentionally conceived as a neighborhood rather than a facility. Eight residential homes accommodating up to 48 residents are organized around a village green, creating a walkable environment where residents can move independently while remaining safe and connected to the larger community. This neighborhood framework reinforces an important idea: residents are not simply occupants of a building; they are neighbors. Overhead aerial view of the pool and spa area at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, showing lounge seating, umbrellas, and adjacent building rooftop Click to enlarge media. Click to enlarge media. Timber-framed entry pavilion with stone piers and pendant chandelier along a walkway at Amber Grace Community at Berry College Click to enlarge media. Classroom at Amber Grace Community at Berry College with staff and residents in a group presentation session beneath pendant lighting Click to enlarge media. On-site staff workspace at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, featuring open desks, workstations, and collaborative seating areas Click to enlarge media. On-site health care exam room at Amber Grace Community at Berry College, with exam table, seating, and windows overlooking resident homes Click to enlarge media. Faith Journey room signage with candle icon and braille lettering at Amber Grace Community at Berry College Click to enlarge media. Fitness center at Amber Grace Community at Berry College with treadmills, elliptical, rowing machines, and large windows overlooking resident homes Click to enlarge media. Connection Through People Belonging rarely happens by accident. It is often the result of environments that encourage spontaneous interaction and shared experiences between people. It is also a fundamental need, occupying the third tier of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. At Amber Grace, the village green serves as the heart of the community, providing a central gathering space for dining, recreation, learning and social engagement. A network of pedestrian pathways and shared courtyards connects the residences, creating opportunities for casual encounters throughout the day. These interstitial spaces are often where relationships begin. By intentionally designing these moments into the community, Amber Grace supports the development of lifelong social bonds among residents. Amber Grace is also anchored by the community center, which is intended to feel like a bustling hub of energy and learning. The center reinforces this sense of belonging by offering spaces for art classes, wellness activities, vocational learning, healthcare services and events that bring the community together. Independence Through Thoughtful Design Designing for adults with IDD requires a deep understanding of both universal human needs and the unique ways individuals experience their environment. Within each residence, private apartments and bedrooms provide residents with personal space and autonomy, while shared living areas encourage family-style interaction. Interior environments feature calming materials, soft textures and muted palettes selected to create sensory-appropriate spaces that feel restorative and welcoming. Equally important was designing an environment that provides safety without sacrificing independence. Clear sightlines, intuitive circulation and thoughtfully organized shared spaces enable families and caregivers to provide guidance while allowing residents the freedom to navigate their daily routines with confidence. The result is an environment where individuals can age in place, develop life skills and build lasting relationships within a setting designed to evolve alongside them. Designing a Future of Belonging As the demand for supportive housing continues to grow, communities like Amber Grace offer an important model for the future. “Design alone cannot solve every challenge facing adults with IDD. But it can create the framework for something fundamental: belonging,” adds Conner. “When architects design environments that prioritize connection and agency, they create more than buildings. They create communities where every individual has the opportunity to live abundantly, contribute meaningfully and feel truly at home.”