Collected Joy: A Multigenerational Approach to Care

Project Narrative

The number of people over the age of 65 will double in the next five years. But, our senior living system is woefully inadequate, leaving seniors isolated in expensive, privately-funded facilities. At the same time, young families are struggling as the economy increasingly requires dual-income households and childcare is scarce. Intergenerational programs have proven to be beneficial for both groups, particularly when involving “skip-generational” groups. Children participating in these programs show better school attendance, increased social skills, and improved empathy. Seniors enjoy benefits like better self-esteem, improved memory functioning, enhanced physical mobility, and a greater sense of social connectedness. Despite the seemingly disparate needs of these demographics, there is a solution that can join their plights with one comprehensive resolution.

This project proposes a joint facility offering senior living, daycare, and after-school care to a suburb of Detroit. Taking over an abandoned elementary school, the program includes senior living units, classrooms, play spaces, and connection spaces ranging from community art studios to a community garden. The final programming mix serves an estimated 92 people on a daily basis including 48 children, 21 seniors, and 23 staff. A significant portion of the floor plan is given to community spaces, encouraging community members outside of children and seniors to actively participate which further entrenches the residents in their neighborhood. The core of the design challenge is how to design for two groups that are seemingly opposite in scale, abilities, and needs. The proposed design exploits moments of unexpected overlap in needs, responds to differing requirements with integrated solutions, and takes advantage of opportunities where these two groups can supplement each other’s obstacles.

The design toolkit includes playful use of color, accessibly designed millwork and furniture, careful planning of wayfinding and safety, and imaginative programming. The patchwork nature of the programming and user group is translated into a visual quilt motif that spans scales from architectural interventions to material choices. The “crafty” and nostalgic attitude suggested by quilting calls for spaces that are open to mark-making, creating connection beyond the physical place and time. A sense of home is found between the bric-a-brac evidence of daily living and the blank canvas of communal space. Connection through shared space, touched by everyone.

The hope is to design a space that creates engaged, empathetic children and active, fulfilled seniors while moving the greater community towards a culture of shared resources. This project improves the quality of life for two vulnerable populations while connecting the greater community through an ethos of care, joy, and interdependence.

                                           

Project Details -

Submission Category

Interior Architecture- Large Scale (>5,000 sf)

Date of Completion

May, 2025

Project Team

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineer

MEP Engineer

MEP Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineer

Contractor

Contractor

Student Team Members

Sadie Beck