Living for the Elderly

Quality living in old age is one of the key topics of our time. Architecture and the building industry contribute innovative forms of living, intelligent concepts and individual solutions for people with physical or cognitive limitations. Integrative forms of housing and living emerge from sophisticated design solutions, transcending the boundaries between individual, collective and assisted forms of living.

This updated new edition includes an additional introductory article on programming and six new and current international case studies in the chapter on integrated housing and neighbourhood concepts.

PRINCIPLES.- Foreword.- Universal design - a declaration of independence.- Housing and living in old age.- The changing pattern of life phases, roles and needs.- Dementia as a form of being.- On withdrawal and acceptance - contributions from medicine and psychology.- Living and dying.- Dismantling a taboo: living in a hospice.- The elderly in societies.- Different approaches to dealing with demographic developments - an international comparison of its perception and possible solutions.- Safety - Security - Orientation.- The essence of dwelling and its analogies in the urban realm.- Interior architecture and product design.- Approaches to outfitting, retrofitting and conversion.- Sheltered housing, communal housing ...- Different models and approaches (including care concepts).- PROCESSES.- Developing holistic architectural solutions: Interdisciplinary teamwork and heterogeneous client structures.- Designing for people with dementia: Safety and security as design parameters.- Technical installations and construction.- Sustainability / Climate / Energy.- Operators, trustees, clients.- Housing industry and health care services; banks and investors. Project management, cost controlling.- Outsourcing services.- Focussing on the resident.- Quality management, users studies and interviews as a basis for the design process.- TYPOLOGIES / CASE STUDIES.- Introduction (detailing selection, structure, typologies etc.).- Structure of the project section.- Residential typologies (approx. 20 case studies).- Agency: housing industry.- Residential categories.- What requirements should floor plans fulfil for residential housing for the elderly? (Starting point: 2-room apartment).- Nursing home typologies (approx. 20 case studies).- Agency: health care and social services.- Typical floor plan configurations.- Centralised and decentralised solutions, functional programmes, group sizes etc.