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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

“As you embark on the exciting journey into retirement, you will experience a

transition that will be both thrilling and terrifying”.

- Olivia Greenwell

Growing old is one of the things that human can’t stop. Whether people will

like it or not everyone will eventually be going to get old but that’s okay because

growing old is a natural part of life. It is in your leisure to find what makes you

astounded when old age comes, for it is to come even when you still don’t want it.

One of the most inevitable things in life that’s bound to happen to us human is

growing old. Though most of us repress the thought of being frail, meek and not being

able to control our body, or not being able to be productive for a day because of

sudden rheumatic attack and be bedridden for quite some time is probably what really

bothers us. After reaching the age of sixty and retiring a much hard-earned job for the

most part of our lives, we would much rather spend some quality time for ourselves

and enjoy what we have works for instead of just withstanding the thought of it.
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In other cultures, retirement can be considered as living a simple and quiet life

far from the expeditious and active life in the working world. In other words, it is

enjoying the comfort that life offer in a simple approach.

Aging in place, an image of growing old in one’s home and maintaining one’s

daily routine, is desired by most older adults. To identify variables promoting such

independent living in the oldest-old, we examined the association between living

situation with health and lifestyle variables.

Those living at home tended to be healthier, with smaller proportions having

chronic diseases or hospitalizations in the preceding year and a greater proportion

having normal functional ability. Dementia was the chronic disease most significantly

related to living situation. In addition to not having dementia, not using a wheelchair

or bath aid, receiving meals on wheels, and being married were jointly related to living

at home.

Today, older adult faces a prolonged period in life after work in which they are

relatively healthy and vigorous but lack a recognized role and clearly defined

economic and social purpose (sheppard 1990). Retirement poses serious problems for

older adults who lives and identities have been closely tied to work and community

roles that are diminished or unavailable during retirement. The social definition that

has led social scientist to label retirement a “roleless role” (Rosow 1967).

According to Philippine Retirement Authority, A leisure and Retirement

Village is one of the best places where you can find peace and have arrest in your busy
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life. It is a place where you can have fun and start playing like you never stop. It is to

shelter residence retirees in self-contained residential community, providing an active,

meaning full and fruitful lifestyle. It will offer and ambiance satisfying the basic needs

of the man- a roof over his head – and the amenities leisure.

To better accommodate residents, the village environment should be fit with

the residents’ competences. Nevertheless, some villages failed to meet residents’ needs

in terms of affordability, life-style and ergonomic needs (Gardner at al. 2005).

As we age, many of us are faced with the prospect of revising our living

arrangements. If you feel overwhelmed by home up keep, cut off from transport and

social amenities, or simply want more companionship with others your age, an

independent living facility or retirement home may be a good option.

Independent living is simply any housing arrangement designed exclusively for

seniors, generally those aged 55 and over. Housing varies widely, from apartment style

living to freestanding homes. In general, the housing is friendlier to older adults, often

being more compact, with easier navigation and no maintenance or yard work to worry

about.

While residents live independently, most communities offer amenities,

activities, and services. Often, recreational centers or clubhouses are available on site

to give seniors the opportunity to connect with peers and participate in community

activities, such as arts and crafts, holiday gatherings, or movie nights. Independent
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living facilities may also offer facilities such as swimming pool, fitness center, tennis

courts, even a golf course or other clubs and interest groups.

Other services offers in independent living may include onsite spas, beauty and barber

salons, daily meals, and basic housekeeping and laundry services.

Since retirement facilities are aimed at older adults who need little or no

assistance with activities of daily living, most do not offer medical care or nursing

staff. As with regular housing, though you can hire in home help separately as

required.

Due to different preference of retirees, retirement villages exist in different

forms. Some retirement villages use the integrated retirement village approach, where

all amenities like restaurants, shops and medical services within gated facility are

offered to its residents who are only to elderly citizens. There are also facilities which

cater to all age group known as the mixed villages.

Another form of the open villages where the above mention facilities are not available,

and which are not gated. It is a more independent approach. It is difficult to say which

approach is “right” or if a “right “approach really exist.

The concept of the wellness center has grown in popularity in recent years. It’s

a broad term which is used liberally at venues such as medical centers, hospitals, spas

and nutrition offices. There are many different type of wellness centers, which cater to

a variety of people and offer a plethora of treatments.

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A wellness center or clinic is a building or facility that is devoted towards the

promotion of healthy living as well as the prevention of illness and disease. Wellness

center can be run by any number of physicians who can practice a wide variety of

medicine, and can even be run without any staff physician, in which case the center

acts as a health information provider. Some of these practices can include traditional

forms of medicine and healing as well as ancient healing arts such as acupuncture, for

example. Other wellness clinics cover modern, cutting edge and even experimental of

medicine.

Some of the ways wellness centers promote health are through fitness, dietary

needs. Psychological aid, and other more direct medical practices. A patron can be

sometimes talk to a physician directly for a diagnosed of a specific problem, or can

arrange for a treatment such as message from a qualified and trained therapist. Often, a

wellness center will also offer educational programs and classes that cover a wide

range of health- related topics, such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, fitness

programs, medical advice and more.

The services a center can offer to promote better health could concentrate

solely on physical, psychological, or spiritual therapies, or possibly a combination of

all three with holistic focus on the mind, body and spirit. A holistic – based center will

address each aspect of individual rather than just one dimension.

Clients might be able to choose from nutrition counseling, fitness classes,

mental health guidance, physical treatments, or medical services at such centers. Many
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centers are based on a holistic philosophy which emphasizes preventive approach to

disease and illness. The goal is to avoid curative scenario, which may be too late once

health is compromised.

In this study, the researcher would like to identify the needs of the future

patients so that better and new facilities and amenities will be introduced in the

planning and design of a Retirement Facility.

The propose location of the proposal will be in the city of Bacolod Negros

Occidental. is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines. It is the capital of

the province of Negros Occidental, Having a total of 561,875 inhabitants as of 2015

census, it is the most populous city in the Negros Island Region and the second most

populous city in the Visayas after Cebu City, along with a total area of

578.65 km2 (223.42 sq mi).

The site will be located at Brgy. Estefania Bacolod city.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The researcher aims to provide an Architectural Design for a Proposed

Retirement Community in Bacolod City, to answer the lack of facilities that can

accommodate the foreign retirees that wants to spend their retirement life here in

Bacolod City.
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Specifically, the study also intends to solve the following questions:

1. As to Site analysis

a. What is the status of the site as to conformity of the land use and zoning?

b. What is the available utility system within the site?

c. What is the site’s Strength?

d. What is the site’s weakness?

e. What are the site’s opportunities?

f. What are the site’s threats?

2. Site Development

1. What is the planning concept of the site?

2. What are the different requirements for the said projects?

3. Building Function

1. What are the major and minor structures?

2. What are required facilities,spaces and amenities?

3. What are Sizes of the areas required?

4. Building Aesthetics

1. What is the Design Concept?

2. What is the Aesthetic Design Philosophy?

3. What is the Building Character/ motifs?

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5. Building Strength and Durability

1. What construction method and construction principle?

2. What kind of materials Specified to be used?

6. Necessary engineering utility system.

1. What is the required engineering and utility systems, specifications of materials

and components?

1.3 Significance of the Study

This study will be most significant for it will help individuals in the field of

Architecture, this will help and guide them in the desire to Design a Retirement

Community.

Furthermore, this study will be most significant to the following:

Bacolod City

It will benefit the city with regards to its economic growth. This can also

become a reference for whatever development plan drafted by the city with regards to

retirement facility.
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Province of Negros Occidental

This study will be a reference for any development plan drafted by the

province. This shall benefit more in the department tourism, which is more promoting

the province as a resting haven of local and International Tourist.

The Architects

This study shall serve as the benchmark in the architectural design of

Retirement community covering the areas of consideration.

The Future Researcher

This study will provide sufficient information to the future researchers

especially architecture students, who will be working or designing similar study.

1.4 Theoretical Framework

The researcher has come up with a process that will be adopted in the said

thesis problem using the gathered data of the concept and ideas based from different

authorities in order to provide a well-planned project.

Stated below are the authorities and concepts which will be used in the study .
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Cluster type of planning is grouping or the sharing of a common visual trait of

relationship it often consist of repetitive cellular spaces that have similar functions and

also composition of spaces that are dissimilar in size, form and function but related to

one another. (Architectural Theories of Design: Salvan 1986)

People with different impairments may require different solutions: blind people prefer

steps and defined curbs and intended paving, while wheelchair users need ramps, drop

curbs and smooth surfaces and sometimes people with same impairments require

different solutions. (Shakespeare,2012)

The theory encourages the researcher to design well-planned and systematic

retirement village.
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1.5 Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

(INDEPENDNT VARIABLE) (INTERVENING VARIABLE) (DEPENDENT VARIABLE)

SITE ANALYSIS
-considerations on the -major considerations
safety and utility given in the selection
systems. process
SITE
DEVELOPMENT
-appropriate and -site analysis, site
humane approach of planning concept.
space planning for site
development.

AESTHETICS -building aesthetics, Leisure Living: A

-integration of interpretation of Retirement Village in
architectural theories theories and design Bacolod City
and design concepts. concepts.
STRENGTH
-structural strength and -structural analysis and
specifications of application of
materials. materials.
BUILDING
FUNCTION -building aesthetics,
-architectural character, use of design elements
design concept, and principles of
aesthetic philosophy. composition
ENGINEERING AND
UTILITY -assignment layout and
-available utilities installment of utility
system. components.

FEEDBACK

Fig. 1.1 PARADIGM

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1.6 Scope and Limitations

The study will primarily focus on architectural design for Leisure Living: A

Retirement Community in Bacolod City.

The study will be conducted within the province of Negros Occidental, mainly

in the City of Bacolod, Retired Foreigners will be the respondents of the study.

The focus of the study will be mainly about the site development planning,

major structures with detailed planning, and minor structures with initial analysis as to

the site.

1.7 Definition of Terms

The following terms or phrases defined for clearer understanding of the study.

 Retirement

Conceptual: it is a phase of one’s life on drawing out what he usually does for

living. (Merriam Dictionary)

Operational: in this study it refers to the stage where one’s profession will end

and allotted benefits.

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 Retirement Community

Conceptual: A residential community designed especially for the benefits and

convenience of the elderly. (Merriam Dictionary)

Operational: In line with this study Retirement Community refers to the

project that will be conducted by the researcher .

 Retirees

Conceptual: Are individuals, usually of age 60 or above , no longer take an

active on a certain profession. (Merriam Dictionary)

Operational: In this study, this will be the occupants in the said Proposed

Retirement Village and also one of the respondents in this study.

 Foreigners

Conceptual: A person born in or coming from a country other than one’s own.

Operational: in this study, foreigners will be the clients for this project.

 Wellness center

Conceptual: Is an establishment that offers health services for the body and

mind. Usually offers skin care services and body services such as fitness,

personal training and nutrition consulting.

Operational: in this study this will be the place the retirees can relax and have

a good mind.
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 PRA (Philippine Retirement Authority)

Conceptual: Is a Government owned and controlled corporation created by

virtue Executive order No. 1073, signed by former President E. Marcos on July

4,1985. Mandated to attract foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens to

invest, reside and retire in the Philippines with the end- view of accelerating

the socio- economic of the country, contributing to the foreign reserve of the

economy and by providing them the best quality of life in the most attractive

package.

Operational: In this study it is a government mandated corporation where

mostly of the details regarding space requirements and some design standards

were taken.