Serenity for seniors; a small-scale housing community for pensioners in Sweden

Abstract

The population in Sweden is constantly growing older. At the same time, the amount of senior housing is stagnant as “ageing in place” prevails. But for now, this is not a long-term solution. Issues like bad accessibility, movement impairment and loneliness are three examples of why we need to find more answers on how to create a living situation adapted for the seniors in Sweden. Answers regarding the possibility of combining attractive and functional accommodations with the familiar and safe feeling of your old neighbourhood. This thesis presents a new form of senior living consisting of a small-scale housing community with shared facilities such as gardens, common rooms and activity areas. By providing these innovative, health promotive living solutions as an alternative to the urban apartments, it offers the residents existing connections to nature and community. This way, a social and active lifestyle can be established for people not yet in need of the services of retirement homes. With the concept of creating a housing community adaptable to multiple sites in Sweden, it can be placed in areas with high senior population where the wish to move away from your hometown is low, bringing the solution the solution to the people. This project includes drawings, models and diagrams of two different sizes of houses adapted for seniors, along with a programming for shared common areas. It also presents the site, showing the communication between homes and common areas and their connection with surrounding nature and context. Through literature reviews, case studies, interviews and problem investigations, this thesis establishes the theoretical foundation for accommodations that benefits seniors’ health. Presenting two housing models, drawn to fit the accessibility needs of senior citizens but also to fulfil many of the qualities needed to be called ’a good accommodation’, this thesis shows that senior housing does not have to look or feel different than any other home. It is important that we see our senior population not just as seniors but people of our society, with the same dreams and wishes as anyone else.