Introduction
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Baby Boomer Generation
Baby Boomers, the generation of change in the aging population and redefining the norm (Greenblatt
people born between 1946 and will quickly become more 2007). In turn, it can be generally put that
1964, are those now faced with pertinent than ever before. the baby boomers carry an attitude toward
aging and having to address what change for their personal betterment.
to do in the latter portion of life. It should be noted that the
In America alone, 77 million boomer generation has often Given the boomer attitudes outlined above,
people are considered to be baby been characterized as the it could be assumed that many of the aging
boomers, an unprecedented “rule breakers” of today, boomers will quickly reject living arrangements
number of aging people. By the having developed an ethos and housing for the “elderly” as they stand today,
year 2015, it is expected that that stresses the pursuit of and work to redefine what it means to age, and
45% of the U.S. population will personal fulfillment while how one might do that. This attitude toward
be aged 50+ (Frey 2010). The also growing up rejecting change is perfect for a new type of housing, and
need to address this drastic traditional social roles new approach to aging: inter-generational living.
Already prevalent and deeply rooted in parts of more ubiquitous. As life spans younger generations begin to
the world such as Europe, inter-generational of humans continue to increase, learn to have a healthier attitude
living looks to an alternative idea of housing, many families are now faced toward again, as well a certain
aiming to create an environment that with the issues arising out amount of stability that can be
incorporates both young and older generations of what is referred to as the lent by someone older and more
living together in an apartment style setting “sandwich generation”, or in experienced (Building Livable
. The intent behind an inter-generational other words a household that Communities 2014). It seems
community is obviously to promote a sense of might include the boomers, their readily apparent that through
community and socialization across at least three children, as well as their parents inter-generational living, a
generations, but also to avoid the drawbacks (3 generations living together). supportive family of sorts can
a senior living alone might face in a nursing The idea of inter-generational exist and better the lives of
home facility living exclusively among other living on a household level, younger and older generations.
seniors (Building Livable Communities 2014). let alone a community level The key, however, is creating a
is quickly going to become a community with a willingness
Within a single household, inter-generational common reality (Goyer 2014). of residents to live in the sort
living arrangements are becoming more and of arrangement proposed,
As the model exists today, and successfully generate a
inter-generational living holds supportive community.
more benefits than faults. First
and foremost is the bridging The necessity for inter-
of a generational gap between generational living is quite
older and younger people that apparent. With the growing
only seems to be worsening. By number of aging baby boomers,
integrating seniors and youth and the inability for inter-
into a cohesive environment, generational groups (not
not only do seniors remain necessarily blood related) to
an integral part of society (in find housing that supports this
lieu of being cast away into type of lifestyle, it is clear a
nursing homes), but also have new innovative type of housing
the ability to continue learning needs to become a part of the
from younger generations, picture, and that is what inter-
and vice versa. In regards to generational living has to offer.
learning from one and other,
Atypical family structures in an inter-generational community
166 | reGENERATION
environment to support both stability - in
respect to long term community interests - and
change - in respect to individual preferences?”
A central and key point to Open Building
is this notion that design should be (and in
terms of Open Building is) centered on the
needs of the user. The built environment is not
something that exists for professionals, but rather
professionals exist for it (Nascimento 2012).
John Habraken Stephen Kendall By means of centering design around what a
user specifically needs, they become a decision
Open Building making agent, and an indispensable power
for the existence of the built environment.
Originally established in the Building operates on a similar In his concept of Open Building, Habraken
late 1960’s by N. John Habraken set of guidelines recognizing that outlines a set of guidelines that are the central
(and later furthered by Stephen certain layers of intervention guiding principles for any project in Open
Kendall), Open Building is exist within a building.
an alternative approach to Habraken’s approach looks
residential design, financing, to “disentangle the various
construction, fit-out, and parts” of a building (structure,
management that investigates the envelope, infill, etc.) and
potential for modification and recognize that these various
adaptability. The driving force parts have different lifespans
behind Habraken’s investigation and will be changing over time.
into Open Building is from a Interface between systems within
lack of adaptability existing in the building should allow for
housing, and recognition that not the replacement of one with
all people live the same. Open another performing the same
Building is already prevalent in task, with little interruption
the way retail spaces are designed to the rest of the building. To
(support and infill), and is works Habraken, the environment
as an ideal model to translate is an ongoing, never ending
into housing. (Kendall 2000). design (Kendall 2014). Stephen
Closely linked to the idea Kendall raises the question
of support and infill, Open “How do we design the built Open building’s focus on user-centered design
168 | reGENERATION
Levels of control defined by Habraken
As the reality of the sandwich generation becomes plethora of living arrangements in a single household.
more prevalent, households are going to have to (whether one chooses to live Therefore, Open Building
accommodate to changing needs accordingly. with multiple generations of their offers the opportunity on
Currently America designs a majority of urban family, or a roommate situation). a localized, individual unit
apartment housing with the single-family unit in For example, as it stands today, a scale, to allow almost any
mind, or the single/married person, and leaves family looking to “incorporate” inter-generational living
little room for change within these predetermined grandma into the household situation to occur. Without
conditions (Gross 2008). For families living in might think it ideal to give her predetermining layouts in the
an inter-generational setting, that is to say with a separate space only for her. manner in which designers
more than two generations in a single home, this A typical apartment one might often do, the user can create a
may not be the ideal situation. Urban housing find is not necessarily conducive space ideally conducive to their
has generally offered few options for living to this living arrangement, and own personal living situation.
arrangements, thus people seeking an inter- is even less so to potentially
generational household have become accustomed changing the apartment layout,
to making something less than ideal work. structure, etc. By means of Open
Building, users would have the
Open Building has the opportunity to allow opportunity to define the level
greater flexibility and change over time within of interaction or separation
the apartment, and in turn would allow for a they want between generations
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design proposals_ian kilpatrick| 171
172 | reGENERATION
single young professional
-separate spaces
allocated rather than
studio style apartment
-circular movement
throughout
-emphasis on individual
bedrooms
-circular movement
throughout
-joker space
accommodates small
office
-emphasis on individual
expansion
-addition of grandparent
“suite”
-circular movement
throughout
-joker space
accommodates small
office & connection to
caretaker
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+ + +
addition of grandparents caretaker
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Rear walkways to access apartments
Conclusion
Utilizing Open Building aging-in-place, and creating a disregard to individual need is no longer
principles in an inter- healing environments. In a world an option. Open Building not only succeeds
generational community offer where much of the housing in changing the way housing is designed, but
opportunities to successfully has become homogenized and furthermore creates a successful model for a new
create building types fostering void of personal identity, it is type of housing that people want to live in.
alternative living situations, critical that designers recognize
design proposals_ian kilpatrick| 181
Level 1
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Level 2 Level 3
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Visual access to park Centralized cores
West Elevation
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Transverse Section
South Elevation
Joker room
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Wall Section/Elevation
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190 | reGENERATION
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