Thesis Work: Designing for Active Aging
Following the studio theme of borders, the goal of the project was to bring those who are aging back to the center of the community by using architecture and the arts as a platform.
The community of Basalt, Colorado - where the project is sited, is a small mountain town located in the roaring fork valley. The people who live there do so for the scenery, tight-knit community, and outdoor recreation opportunities. It is a community of like-minded individuals who want to continue to actively age in place.
The bottom line is that the roaring fork valley area is in desperate need of senior housing accommodations as well as vitality in the historic downtown core of Basalt. The master plan scheme meets the needs of seniors and provides a refreshed civic center for the community.
Senior housing today teeters on the border of vitality and complacency. It is a place where long livelihoods should be embraced and celebrated. The reality however, it can be a space of sterile isolation.
Senior housing and successful independent living is a complex typology that must be investigated as it is in growing demand thanks to longer life spans and increasing population counts. We need to shift our focus to reflect the notion that growing old is part of the human condition. Architecture can be used as a tool in transforming the Senior care model into something residents want to be a part of rather than forced into due to a lack of options
Project Scope:
The Theater
The basalt community theater acts as an anchor for the master plan drawing both local and international talent.
The Nodes
The community art nodes are flexible spaces that welcome both community members and residents to engage with arts of different mediums. The spaces are set up to facilitate everything and anything from woodworking, and fine art, to music lessons and performances. Downsizing living space does not have to mean giving up passions/hobbies.
Housing
The residential piece of the master plan offers one, two, and three bedroom unit options. Each living space is accompanied by an in-unit studio space and are all ADA compliant.
