Background
REGENERATION is an architectural competition with the goal to encourage active aging and bring the aging population back into society in a creative, innovative way. By creating a multigenerational living space on a college campus, they will be able to socialize and participate in physical activity as well as take college courses or classes provided by an outside source. I will personally be focusing on the ideas proposed by Tim Carpenter's EngAGE program while still trying to retain the college life style for students who are also living in the building.
Research
From my initial research it is apparent that two large segments of our population are undergoing very similar challenges in life as well as some very different challenges that could be easily addressed in the right setting. I feel that the proper setting is one in which these two groups can be brought together in one common space to share experiences, wisdom, companionship, and activity which, together, form a healthy and lively lifestyle for people of any age. The following building designs reflect this idea of community and togetherness and one will be further developed into a unique experience that promotes those aspects that contribute to an enjoyable and productive life.
Development of Ideas
Renderings and Plans
Narrative and Final Board
There is currently a massive influx of students entering college as well as a massive influx of baby boomers entering retirement. It is a shame that these generations are often separated rather than brought together for mutual benefit. INTERCOMMUNITY, located on the campus of University of Texas at Dallas ( a modern, rapidly growing school), is an attempt to break down social barriers through architecture by bringing people together in as many ways as possible. While there are various spaces throughout the building that encourage interaction, the major focus of the design a continuous pathway (the Ribbon) leading through the interior and exterior of the building as place to socialize, exercise, and learn.
Because of the different lifestyles the two generations lead, the housing is separated into dorms, and individual units with a front door, single bedroom, and standard home utilities. As a result of this separation, the rest of the building is heavily focused on providing locations and means to interact and ultimately form relationships to benefit individuals and the community as a whole. At the end of the residential wing, where the different housing types come together, there is a terraced open space for the community to socialize. This space also provides access to common amenities underneath the terraces. The educational wing is a double loaded corridor of classrooms that has easy access to green space on the roof to facilitate alternative learning environments. The classes offered in the building are intended to be for the arts, as the university currently lacks art programs. In the center of the green space is an amphitheater to host events, put on shows, or simply another location for social interaction.
The central element of the building is the multi-story atrium (the Hub) that brings together all aspects of the community. There are study spaces scattered throughout, a library, media rooms, offices, food, an exercise center, and general lounge space to transform the Hub into an all-encompassing community space to be used by residents, employees, and students alike. INTERCOMMUNITY’s goal is to successfully bring together two extremely different populations through interactions in new and innovative spaces. The result is a strong community between two different generations that can only benefit each other, and the removal of current social barriers.
Because of the different lifestyles the two generations lead, the housing is separated into dorms, and individual units with a front door, single bedroom, and standard home utilities. As a result of this separation, the rest of the building is heavily focused on providing locations and means to interact and ultimately form relationships to benefit individuals and the community as a whole. At the end of the residential wing, where the different housing types come together, there is a terraced open space for the community to socialize. This space also provides access to common amenities underneath the terraces. The educational wing is a double loaded corridor of classrooms that has easy access to green space on the roof to facilitate alternative learning environments. The classes offered in the building are intended to be for the arts, as the university currently lacks art programs. In the center of the green space is an amphitheater to host events, put on shows, or simply another location for social interaction.
The central element of the building is the multi-story atrium (the Hub) that brings together all aspects of the community. There are study spaces scattered throughout, a library, media rooms, offices, food, an exercise center, and general lounge space to transform the Hub into an all-encompassing community space to be used by residents, employees, and students alike. INTERCOMMUNITY’s goal is to successfully bring together two extremely different populations through interactions in new and innovative spaces. The result is a strong community between two different generations that can only benefit each other, and the removal of current social barriers.
