ASSISTED LIVING NOMINEE
Ciela
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent to Topanga State Park, Ciela is a resort-style, luxury living community designed to promote optimal health and well-being at any age. Built with the belief that it’s never too late to maximize physical, mental, and emotional potential, Ciela offers an environment that blends modern luxury with nature. The boutique 82-unit community provides assisted living and memory care, all while celebrating the principles of biophilic design. Natural light and the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscape are seamlessly integrated into every element of the community. Nearly every room features floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains, flooding spaces with abundant natural light. Comfortable, luxurious outdoor spaces encourage social interaction, while a circadian lighting system supports the body’s natural rhythms, particularly for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. Perched on the edge of a canyon, Ciela’s structural design is as impressive as its aesthetics. The property includes two subterranean parking levels and four stories above ground, anchored to bedrock by 154 piles ranging from 50 to 100 feet deep. Adhering to zoning requirements for transitional height, the building terraces back every 25 feet, creating expansive outdoor areas. A third-floor, 6,700-square-foot rooftop deck features walking paths, an outdoor kitchen, and a resident garden, while the first floor hosts an open-air dining area. Additional amenities include a spacious movie theater, two salons, a game room with bar, library, resident computer room, a full-service espresso bar (open to the general public) in partnership with a specialty roaster, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility with a dedicated recovery lounge.
The unique shape of the lot and legal regulations from the City of Los Angeles and the California Coastal Commission led to a structure that offers almost 20 different unit types, many with private outdoor spaces. The building’s triangular design also allows for a secure outdoor memory courtyard on the first floor with a 60 foot living wall, further enhancing residents’ connection with nature, sunlight, and the outdoors. Ciela uses an advanced rainwater harvesting system to collect water from the entire property for irrigation, filtering it through a custom-built system.
The architectural team aimed to pay homage to the nearby state park by incorporating wood, glass, and stone into the design. However, given the high fire risk in the area, they opted for wood-effect porcelain planks imported from Spain, and created a mechanically attached anchoring system to offer better support in the event of any seismic activity. This solution provided an earthquake-ready, fire-safe alternative while maintaining the natural aesthetic.
Ciela also boasts modern technological innovations, including private, community-wide WiFi networks, enhanced security through Salto access control systems, electric vehicle charging stations, hospital-grade filtration systems, and an in-house app for both iPhone and Android users.
At the heart of Ciela’s wellness-focused approach is the Vitality Center, which offers a range of advanced health and fitness services. Residents can benefit from hydrotherapy, lymphatic compression systems, an infrared sauna, and red light therapy, along with state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment. Personalized programs and customized protocols are designed to help residents achieve their fitness goals and extend their health span.
