Community Collaboration & Design Process
The Town of Apex partnered with Smith Sinnett Architecture to complete a programming study and design the new Apex Senior Center. Located in the heart of town, the 28,000-square-foot facility expands the civic campus, which includes Town Hall and the Community Center. The design process began with a daylong charrette where over 150 local seniors gave their input. Following this, Smith Sinnett worked closely with town officials, stakeholders, and user groups. Together, they developed a program that aligned with the community’s goals and budget.
Spaces that Support Active Living
The Senior Center supports active, engaged lifestyles. Specifically, it includes group and individual exercise rooms, yoga studios, flexible meeting rooms, and classrooms. Additionally, the building provides spaces for pottery, art, and computer learning. Moreover, it features a lounge with a coffee bar, a catering and teaching kitchen, storage areas, reception, and administrative offices. Each space was designed with careful attention to lighting, acoustics, and materials, ensuring comfort and performance.
Walking was the top priority identified during planning. In response, the design incorporates oversized corridors that serve as an indoor walking loop. This loop not only connects to surrounding pedestrian paths but also links to the existing Community Center. As a result, the total covered walking route extends by a quarter mile. Furthermore, framed views throughout the building offer visual connections to the natural surroundings. Small shifts in floor levels add variety and interest to the interior spaces.
Architecture Rooted in Place
The building consists of two masonry volumes that shift along a central service bar and double-height corridor. In between these volumes, a glass-filled space provides a bright, informal gathering area. This layout, therefore, promotes movement, interaction, and easy wayfinding.
The Senior Center sits on the site of the historic Tunstall House, the highest point along the former Seaboard Air Line Railway. This prime location inspired a modern take on local architectural traditions. Nearby buildings reference Apex’s historic train station, using classic rooflines, detailing, and materials. The Senior Center, in turn, builds on these cues and reinterprets them with a contemporary design. For example, it features shallow curved metal roofs, angled columns, exposed structure, and a wide covered porch.
Sustainable Site & Stormwater Design
The design also emphasizes sustainability. To begin with, it expands the existing retention pond and manages stormwater on-site. Roofs channel rainwater into oversized gutters, which then direct runoff down the sloped columns. Furthermore, overflow water flows beneath the drive and into a landscaped courtyard. There, an underground stormwater system manages the flow. This approach not only protects the environment but also enhances the site’s overall appeal.
Civic Projects
At Smith Sinnett Architecture, we offer comprehensive expertise in the planning, programming, renovation, and design of facilities throughout North Carolina. Over the years, we’ve built a strong portfolio of public projects, from libraries and senior centers to courthouses, shelters, and town halls.
As a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) and Woman-Owned Business, we’re deeply committed to inclusive and community-focused design. We emphasize functionality, durability, and long-term value in every project. Our thoughtful, integrated approach ensures that each facility not only meets current needs but also adapts to future demands. As a result, we continue to serve as a trusted design partner for local governments across North Carolina.
We also bring valuable experience in sustainable architecture, with several LEED-certified projects to help meet environmental standards and long-term efficiency goals.
To explore more of our civic work, visit our portfolio and see how we’re delivering high-quality, purpose-driven spaces that support and enrich public life.
