Cohousing Design Strategies for Active Aging Marisela Thompson [email protected]
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UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones May 2018 Cohousing Design Strategies for Active Aging Marisela Thompson [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the Architecture Commons Repository Citation Thompson, Marisela, "Cohousing Design Strategies for Active Aging" (2018). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 3333. https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/3333 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Scholarship@UNLV. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COHOUSING DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR ACTIVE AGING By Marisela A. Thompson Bachelor of Science - Interior Architecture and Design University of Nevada Las Vegas 2016 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Healthcare Interior Design School of Architecture College of Fine Arts The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2018 Copyright 2018 Marisela A. Thompson All Rights Reserved Thesis Approval The Graduate College The University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 25, 2018 This thesis prepared by Marisela A. Thompson entitled Cohousing Design Strategies for Active Aging is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Healthcare Interior Design School of Architecture Dak Kopec, Ph.D. Kathryn Hausbeck Korgan, Ph.D. Examination Committee Chair Graduate College Interim Dean Attila Lawrence, M.A. Examination Committee Member Glenn Nowak, M.Arch. Examination Committee Member David James, Ph.D. Graduate College Faculty Representative ii Abstract Objective: Evaluate and identify approaches to the physical design, with emphasis on the interior design, of a cohousing model can be adapted to support the physical, cognitive and social health aspects of active aging. Background: Housing models evolve with the needs of society. Today, the societal practice of living in traditional nuclear-family based housing is challenged by the lack of financial resources(Blanchard 2017) and the need to care for an aging population. This project attempts to identify a housing model that promotes multigenerational co-housing as a means to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the elder population. One factor that contributes to an individual’s standard living is the capability to sustain one’s health (Zaidi et al., 2017), and remain independent (Amesberger et al., 2011). A study conducted on human activity patterns estimates state that humans spend approximately ninety percent of their time interacting within the built environment (Klepeis et al., 2001). Therefore, the physical design of a housing model has the ability to address the health, safety and welfare needs of an aging population. Older Americans strive to remain active and maintain a sense of purpose as they age, however many lack the appropriate physical and social support systems. A Cohousing model which is an intentional community of private homes which share access to common amenities has the ability to be a model where physical and social supports can be met while concurrently offering a venue for reciprocal and symbiotic relationships between multigenerational occupants. iii Methods: This project will be based on a qualitative analysis of secondary sources obtained from a literature review using grounded theory to identify common elements. Common elements identified were then distilled into charts and examined through design thinking methods via prototyping. Three prototypes were defined for each of the common elements. The results identified the most appropriate solution which could be applied to a cohousing model to accommodate health needs of Elder Americans. Conclusion: The conceptual model demonstrates the viability of implementing physical design strategies that support active aging of Elder Americans in a cohousing model. Results remain inconclusive on whether the design strategies will appeal to the target market and survive market scrutiny. iv Dedication I would like to dedicate my work to my family for being the reason I strive to do my work each and every day and to my friends whose support I cherish and undeniably would be lost without. v Table of Contents Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Dedication ............................................................................................................................v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of Definitions ............................................................................................................ xiii Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Statement of Problem ..............................................................................................1 Background Information ..........................................................................................1 Purpose of Study ......................................................................................................2 Review of Literature ............................................................................................................3 Introduction ..............................................................................................................3 Active Aging ............................................................................................................3 Elderly and a Sense of Purpose ................................................................................5 Environmental Supports...........................................................................................6 Cohousing ...............................................................................................................9 Relationships ..........................................................................................................11 vi Conclusion .............................................................................................................13 Methods.............................................................................................................................14 Objective of Study .................................................................................................14 Data Collection ......................................................................................................14 Data Analysis .........................................................................................................15 Results ...............................................................................................................................16 Design Implication Charts ....................................................................................16 Ideations .................................................................................................................18 Cohousing Conceptual Model .............................................................................. 55 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................80 Discussion ..............................................................................................................80 Implications............................................................................................................80 Recommendations ..................................................................................................81 Appendices .........................................................................................................................82 References ........................................................................................................................145 Curriculum Vitae ............................................................................................................. 153 vii List of Tables Table 1 Comparison and Contrast of Housing Types ............................................10 Table 2 Physical Health Implication Chart ............................................................16 Table 3 Mental Health Implication Chart .............................................................17 Table 4 Social Health Implication Chart ..............................................................18 viii List of Figures Figure 1 Site Organization .....................................................................................19 Figure 2 Private Residence Cluster ........................................................................20 Figure 3 Porch Orientation.....................................................................................21 Figure 4 Circulation ...............................................................................................22 Figure 5 Contrast....................................................................................................23