Aging in an Urban Landscape

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Aging in an Urban Landscape

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Residential › Multi Unit Housing

The
coming of the welfare state in the 1950s divided Bethnal Green, East London
into a disconnected series of towers and blocks. This new optimism forced its
first generation, today's elderly, into a system of imposed benevolence, the
remnants of which continues to care for them in old age today. Around
the edges of this brutalist cityscape, ornamental fragments of old Bethnal
Green remain as comforting reminders for the elderly residents. The decoration,
to them, suggests a level of care and history now absent. Developed from the value
of ornament to the elderly, the project starts as a decorated wall. The wall
opens up a forgotten street, takes in a school and wraps its way along the edge
of a lost burial ground, to embrace the Age Concern building (charity for the
elderly). Imprinted with decoration found in the
area, the archaeological quality of the wall encourages speculation about where
the re-established and invented histories begin and end. Behind the wall runs a low terrace of
houses nodding to the 19th century vernacular of the area. Regular
contact with younger people has proven to be a key factor in helping elderly
people to remain an active part of society. In response, the housing is for
mixed generations, and is designed to contract and adapt as needs change. Using new legislation allowing
the elderly to control their own care budgets, the adaptability supports the creation
of small, informal care groups within the city, deconstructing the idea of the
care home. Set
within a new landscape of orchards and vegetable gardens, derived from the
shared, productive landscape of the medieval abbey, the different generations
of surrounding residents are knitted together by a common focus. Their
role as nurturers and establishers of the developing and changing landscape,
allows them to take ownership of this part of the city again, and gives people
of all ages an equal voice and dignified position.

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Fran Balaam

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Aging in an Urban Landscape

Aging in an Urban Landscape

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team