A group of architecture students from Arizona State University have been given the task of designing a 21st-century senior living community – and what better way to begin their studies than by visiting Sun City, the birthplace of the modern-day active-adult retirement community?

Seventeen graduate students from the Design School at the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and The Arts visited the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum Jan. 31 to get a first-hand look at the first model home ever constructed in Sun City.

The museum, owned by the Sun Cities Area Historical Society, is in the first of five model homes that were open to the public on Sun City’s opening day, Jan. 1, 1960.

According Darren Petrucci, Suncor professor of architecture and urbanism at the school, the students have been charged with creating a modern-day senior living community.

“They are conducting a deep dive into Sun City, the first significant senior living model, to understand how it started, how it has evolved, and what the future might hold,” said Petrucci.

Petrucci is a tenured professor at ASU who teaches graduate capstone design studio with Michelle Fehler, a clinical associate professor of visual communication design. Fehler could not make the trip.

Museum docents Alan Schlemmer and Catherine DuBois guided students through the museum, explaining the story of Sun City and Sun City West and how things have changed over the years – recreational amenities, health care facilities and the design and construction of homes.

After their tour of the museum, the students broke into small groups, got into their cars and traveled throughout the two communities.

“They drove throughout the development to better understand the scale, how the houses have changed, and better understand the culture and practice of the development,” said Petrucci.

And how did a group of students — mostly in their 20s — feel about visiting the birthplace of Sun City, the nation’s very first active-adult retirement community?

“They were very impressed by the docents’ historical knowledge,” said Petrucci. “They were also impressed by how spacious the houses felt compared to their 800-square-foot apartment. Additionally, they were surprised by the renovations and modifications to the front yards of the original homes they drove by.”

The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum is located at 10801 W. Oakmont Drive.

Visit delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org.