Design Goals

Application of Research Topics 

defensibility - defining personal space as well as the territory of the housing community, creating defensible barriers and  a hierarchy of space between public and private sectors 

livability - creating connections, clear circulation throughout building despite physical limitations of a particular person, equal access to outdoor spaces 

legibility - creating distinction of areas through physical. textural, and color differences 

sustainability/urban ecology - maintaining the ecology of the site, limited impact of building on existing conditions 

cultural identity - blending housing community/building so as not  to be a unsightly juxtaposition 

power and poverty - creating an affordable complex for people of varying income levels 

community organizing - functional integration with surrounding neighborhood 

environmental education - gardens and paths available to utilize natural setting 

Conceptual Goals 

To create a defined community in tune with natural setting accessible outdoor areas 

Hierarchies of space, both communal and private with the housing community 

Incorporate neighborhood and surrounding area with the facility 

Proposed Program 

This elderly housing facility will provide people with two levels of care:  almost entirely independent and assisted living, i.e. bathing, laundry, cleaning.  These two components will be merged into one unit so that all of the inhabitants of the facility may interact. 

The site will be located on a wooded lot, providing all community rooms with a view towards nature. 

The independent living portion of the facility will consist of “townhouses” with a private entrance off of the front of the unit and an exit into the facility off of the back.  By adding this feature, it will help ease the transition from a single family residence to an independent living facility. 

The exterior spaces will be located in the rear of the building and will provide residents with private gardening space, walkable paths, a shuffleboard court, and pleasant views to the wooded site.