‘Apartment A’ is the first in a series
of designs that explore the opportunities an industry standard unit of 450 SF can
offer for inspiring vitality and longevity. Safety and delight are integral to the
design. It is a call to action which acknowledges that the function of home
changes as we age, and that we must design with a deep understanding for the
changing needs of body and mind. Innovative solutions for daily physical and
mental ‘training’ comes from sports activities (such as climbing, sailing
and running) where an arsenal of tools and gear has been invented to support
competency and safety.
‘Apartment A’ is an alternative to the
generic and nonspecific design of units in senior living residences and
rethinks the function of home. Proposals in ‘Apartment A’ which may run counter
to the status quo of housing development include an increase in circulation,
built-in fitness zones, and the introduction of heightened specificity in
storage. Increasing circulation weaves together the program zones in multiple
ways and provides wall surface for stability and balance. Resizing program
zones results in giving importance to bathing, grooming and dressing, as these
are particular activities which can become more challenging with age. A short
corridor serves as a fitness station with gym flooring and work-out equipment.
The compact kitchen features a health station with a built-in floor scale, as
well as an organized and easy to retrieve food storage system. With a porous,
soft floor made of artificial playground turf, and climbing gym wall grips set
at various heights, the shower is all about delight and safety. Light and air
is part of bathing and grooming. Wall openings provide shifting views as one traverses
through the unit and balance the density of design.