Architecture of home in later life: towards a fivefold theoretical model

Abstract

PurposeMost older people wish to age “in place”. However, as current housing is mainly unsuitable for later life, architects have a key role to play. Yet, there is little architectural consideration for the notion of “ageing in place” and its various facets, beyond a functional focus. Architects seem to lack support to grasp inhabitants' sensible needs, and thus synergies with other human-centred disciplines could be enlightening. To ensure homes are designed in line with people's wellbeing, the authors aim to provide a state-of-the-art view, as to build a model supporting architects through their understanding of older people-environment relationships.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors investigate the key concepts that could enrich architects' design approaches on “ageing in place”. A narrative literature review scrutinising English- and French-written publications from the last twenty years in various disciplines was conducted, with a focus on older people and non-institutionalised housing.FindingsThe results highlight five essential perspectives to be taken into account when questioning housing for older people: health, affective, social, built and contextual perspectives. Their meaning and ties are developed and then synthesised into considerations, calling for architectural creativity.Originality/valueThis fivefold theoretical model adds to the existing architectural body of knowledge by adopting a multidisciplinary and multidimensional angle, going beyond the predominantly pragmatic vision associated with ageing. It provides stakeholders in architecture with a fresh and clear insight of meaningful relationships between older people and their residential environment.

Designing living environments for older people to age well in place: perspectives from architectural education

“…The theoretical foundations of the workshops came forth from two prior studies with a different spatial (i.e., international & local) and temporal (i.e., past & current) focus. The first study consisted of an international narrative literature review on housing for older people, through the lens of 'ageing well in place' and architectural design (see Schaff et al, 2022). This analysis revealed five essential and intertwined dimensions to be taken into account by architects in order to intervene on the relationships between older people and their home: health, affective, social, built and contextual dimensions.…”

“…It also confirmed the need to contextualize studies related to housing for older people in a specific geographical and temporal situation. Therefore, the second study aimed to enrich the understanding of the current housing situation of older people in Wallonia (south part of Belgium): two focus groups were organized, bringing together Walloon stakeholders specialised in ageing and/or housing (see Schaff et al, 2019). Each of the five dimensions identified in the literature review was supported by experts invited to each focus group (e.g., for the social dimension, at least one sociologist per focus group).…”

Implications of Aging in Place in the Context of the Residential Environment: Bibliometric Analysis and Literature Review

“…This significant increase in the older age groups will inevitably result in increased chronic morbidity and functional disabilities. Changes in lifestyles, needs, and expectations due to demographic aging will continue to substantially evolve and particularly have implications for how society approaches the aging process and the environment in later life [3]. Western societies have been reassessing residential systems for older people, recognizing this issue as one of the major challenges of our time [4].…”

“…The outcome is clear: most older people want to live in their own homes as long as possible [5,8,9] even though their homes are often unsuitable for their aging years [10]. Scientific literature and policy programs examine this preference through the concept of "aging in place" [3].…”