CHAPTER 5: THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION- PROGRAM, CONCEPT AND PRUPOSE
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION CYCLE
A FOUNDATION THAT ADAPTS TO MEET THE VARYING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY THROUGHOUT THE DESTRUCTION / REBUILD CYCLE
The programmatic concept for the project is a foundation that adapts to meet the changing demands of the elderly during the destruction / rebuild cycle. The foundation acts as an elderly community centre during the majority of the time, however, as the hurricane begins it can transform into a temporary shelter. As the city begins to rebuild, the foundation is used to distribute resources to the elderly and to provide them support in the months following. The centre then returns to normal service as a community center. Below is a storyboard showing the relationship between the program and the destruction / rebuild cycle.
THE LONELY + DEPRIVED ELDERLY
With 1/5 elderly living alone, and 1/4 relying on food stamps, the population group are becoming lonely and deprived of basic resources in Cape Coral. There is a need for elderly socialising space.
THE ELDERLY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
During the normal life stage of the cycle, the program of the foundation is to provide a communal space for elderly people to meet and socialise with a secure supply of food.
THE HURRICANE WARNING
As the hurricane warning is given, the elderly leave their house and are transported to the foundation for sheltering. Their houses are not hurricane proof and they are at risk if they stay.
THE DESTRUCTION
The hurricane destroys large amounts of Cape Coral including many residentces of the elderly. The destruction period can last for weeks, much like hurricane Ian.
THE ELDERLY SHELTER FOUNDATION
During the destruction period, the community centre is transformed into a temporary hurricane shelter for the elderly. This offers them a safe space, where they can be looked after not left alone in their homes.
THE RETURN TO NORMALITY
After months of after care and rebuild, the city returns to normal. The cycle starts again with the elderly living at home. The foundation returns back to the community foundation.
THE SUPPORT FOUNDATION
The hurricane would be traumatic for the elderly population, the foundation can be utilised to host support groups during this time. The elderly will have someone to talk to about their issues.
THE DISTRIBUTION FOUNDATION
During the after care period of the cycle, the elderly living at home will require resources delivering e.g. food. The foundation will become a distribution hub for these resources.
THE RETURN
After the rebuild has been successfully completed, the elderly leave the temporary shelter and return to their own homes. However, they will still require after care from the hurricane...
THE REBUILD
The homes of the elderly are repaired, whilst they stay at the shelter foundation. The rebuild may take several months, so it is important that the shelter is comfortable and suitable for a long stay.
ELDERLY FOUNDATION PROGRAM CYCLE SUMMARY
DESTRUCTION REBUILD CYCLE DETERMINING ELDERLY FOUNDATION PROGRAM CYCLE
The below diagram summarises the project program cycle and the transformation that the building will go through from community hub, to shelter, to after care. This cycle could vary in length of time depending on hurricane severity, rebuild times etc. the building will have to be flexible ad easily adaptable.
CONCEPT: PLANNED TEMPORARY TRANSFORMATION
CONCEPT DIAGRAM: FUNCTION TRANSFORMS TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AT ALL STAGES OF THE HURRICANE CYCLE
Below is the initial conceptual diagram for the project. The concept involves temporary transformations, such as sliding partitions and openings, which allow for different spacial characteristics for different uses. The space could be an open communal space, but with the movement of sliding partitions, could become a series of private shelter rooms. These moving partitions can be quickly altered when a hurricane warning is given allowing the elderly to come and shelter. The building transforms for the different stages of the destruction / rebuild cycle.
TEMPORARY TRANSFORMATIONS: ADAPTING SPACES FOR DIFFERENT USES
COLLAGE DIAGRAMS: TEMPORARY FUNCTIONS
The below sketch collages show the transforming space concept from another angle. The function can adapt to meet the varying needs of the elderly throughout the destruction / rebuild cycle. The changing functions require different spacial conditions. These are initial sketches, which will form the basis for detailed design later in the portfolio.
INTERGENERATIONAL MOMENTS
COLLAGE DIAGRAMS: TEMPORARY FUNCTIONS
The below sketch collages show the transforming space concept from another angle. The function can adapt to meet the varying needs of the elderly throughout the destruction / rebuild cycle. The changing functions require different spacial conditions. These are initial sketches, which will form the basis for detailed design later in the portfolio.
PURPOSE: PLACEMAKING FOR THE ELDERLY AT ALL STAGES OF THE DESTRUCTION / REBUILD CYCLE
UTILISING CHARACTERISTICS FROM PLACE / NON PLACE STUDY
During my place / non place study model from Chapter 1, I studied the characteristics of the Corn Exchange, Leeds. The space acts as a meeting point for human interaction at a range of scales. The space has a large open centre which encourages large scale socialisation, but then has smaller rooms for more private social interaction. I want to utilise this principle in my elderly foundation to allow the elderly community to socialise in larger and smaller groups for varying functions, such as support groups, leisure groups and communal events.
