| Abstract [eng] |
The rapid trend of ageing is fundamentally changing the structure of society in which elderly become the majority of the population. As a result, seniors are offered institutional care services, which are increasingly being criticized for isolating individuals from the society. However, an alternative has been discovered – the concept of ageing at home or ageing in place, which allows individuals to remain independent and live in their own homes for longer periods of time. Theoretical research has demonstrated that two design concepts can be applied to help qualitatively age at home: universal design that can reduce the physical limitations of the elderly regardless of place of residence (urban or rural) and biophilic organic design that reduces psychological limitations for the urban population and biophilic vernacular design that reduces psychological constraints on rural residents. Empirical research has included the a sociological survey and the analysis of the existing living environment of the people that age in place, which found out which universal design solutions are acceptable and affect the quality of life and which biophilic design solutions are acceptable for people living in different areas – urban and rural. From the obtained results, a conceptual model of the application of universal and biophilic design principles to the implementation of the idea of ageing at home is systematized. The experimental project has been prepared according to the conceptual model and suitable places for ageing - the historical and landscape features of the territory of the former Linkuva manor homestead that is considered as suitable for aging in place. A residential quarter for ageing population is being designed in the territory, the designed quarter includes residential and social functions. The residential function is realized through the planned expanding modular houses, and the former Linkuva manor palace and the newly designed park spaces could become the center of attraction of the ageing community. |
