ELDERLIVING

What was the concept behind the project?

To respond to the competition challenge, we used three main concepts: crop rotation for the gardening activity, scale of community for the co-housing, and biophilic design for the free-barrier connexion with nature.

We consider that these three notions are also in close relation with each other. Crop rotation is a way to organise spaces and people together. Thus, it links gardening activity, architecture, and co-living. Scale of community helps to build right common spaces. Those ones should also be related to the garden. Finally, biophilic design helps to have keys in the design process, to enhance gardening, connexion with nature and wellness of elderly.

What was the intent behind the organization of elements across various levels (Architectural, Site, Urban)?

We started with an urban study to highlight the main features of the surroundings. We understood that the place is rich of nature but presents a lack of activity. We thought of creating two green loops to go around the river, the farms, and the vineyards. Our project would be a main step of both loops, where citizen could pass freely through the central building and take a break at the repair café of the community. This volunteer café would be a place to speak with elderly, give them some tips and tricks, exchange, learn and pass on knowledge. This is what structured our masterplan.

How many iterations were tried to arrive at the final outcome?

We had two main iterations before arriving to the final outcome. We had a very incremental way to deal with the design. We started with lots of schema and concepts to think about the organisation of the community, each little community, and so on.

With the urban study, we had a fixed idea of the general masterplan we wanted to end with.

Moving on to tiny communities, we first tried to build four unique buildings, where every 25 people would live together. We felt we were missing an important point: the succession of rooms created a nursing home effect that we wanted to avoid. At this point, we asked elderly relatives whether they would prefer to live in a single house with a few other elderly people, or in a retirement home. The answer was clear: the family model and the habit of living with a certain comfort, motivate them to have small houses all connected to each other.

The second major iteration was the main building. We designed it in accordance with the surface requirements of the competition while making sure to propose a very welcoming building that meets all the expectations of future users.

Which methods of design investigation?

A preliminary step was the urban study, and the masterplan. Then to design the buildings, we followed the steps: volumes, plans, prospects, and materials.

We started to study the urban context to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the area. The pedestrian greenway was an opportunity to create a new dynamic in the surroundings. It has shaped our masterplan concept.

Then, given the ground levels, especially on the east side of our area, we thought of simple rectangle plans that could easily be built on different heights.

At this point, we had a simple base rectangle for our houses. We then studied the volumes of houses throughout the area and decided to work with parallelepiped shapes. These volumes offer an optimal and easy articulation of the spaces inside the houses. In addition, we chose flat roofs because sloped roofs were too complex in shape for the volumes, especially in the east where the houses are built on different heights.

Then, given the similarity of the four parts, we decided to focus on only one of them, the western one. From the white volumes of each house, we aggregated them into one homogeneous block, connected to the “ballatoio”. We worked on the interior plans. We then studied the prospects and details. On one side of the building, we had depth, thanks to the "ballatoio” and patios, and for the other façade, we worked on different window modules.

Finally, we have chosen the precise type of material we wanted. At this point, we were already thinking about wood, but we were able to choose each shade more precisely.

What/How were the materials chosen?

We chose to use bio sourced materials. Wood is a versatile product, which is abundant in Italy. Dry construction offers precise control of performance according to requirements. It also has a negative carbon footprint that could compensate for other materials used such as concrete for the foundations, or polymer for the membrane. For the structure, we thought of using XLAM. For the cladding, we chose HPL staves boards such as Trespa (an Italian producer) with a light wood aspect. High pressure laminated wood is a solution to have a natural look with higher performance and resistance over time. Finally, for the central building, we thought of playing with a dark background wood cladding, and a series of light-coloured slat. By playing with the frequency from the bottom to the top, we tried to improve the relationship between the ground and the sky, adding depth to the façade.

 

How was a specific objective attempted to be met?

Throughout the design process, we kept in mind the key word: barrier-free design. We developed it along three axes: direct connection with nature, direct contact between residents, easy accessibility.

To strengthen the connection with nature, we placed in each house (micro-community), the common spaces (kitchen and living room) in direct visual and physical contact with the vegetable garden. We made the façade permeable to light with large windows. Glass doors invite you directly to the outside. One can pick up a vegetable and cook it directly at home.

We then thought of common spaces at each scale to enhance interaction between residents. Inside the house, we combine comfortable private spaces with common living spaces. In the small community, we organize the houses in courtyard, connected by a “ballatoio” and with shared terraces. The “sala della luce” encourages people to meet outside and admire the garden. Finally, the central building aims to bring everyone together. In addition to recreational and artistic activities, it also offers the opportunity to meet the citizens of the city around the repair café, in order to exchange experiences and anecdotes with the elders.

The free barrier is also developed in terms of accessibility. Although autonomous, we have paid particular attention to ensuring that each resident, regardless of their ability to get around easily, can have the same experience and access to the same places and activities as everyone else. To achieve this, we have managed the difference in height as best we can so that it does not become a barrier. In each community, an elevator provides access to the walkway serving the terraces so that no one is left out. Inside each house, the stairs are also equipped with stair lifts so that everyone can access the retreat area and the playroom on the second floor.

What is the expansion plan of the project? How will the project transform with the passing time?

The expansion plan is based on the two greenways created in the nature around the community. Indeed, the objective is that these become attractive for the residents of the community, but also for those who wish to discover the surroundings of Pantalla while being fully connected to nature. These two new paths will bring dynamism and a strong identity to the community and the city. The expansion of the project will therefore be to create regular spaces along these routes where one can take a break, necessary during long walks. For this purpose, we think that these spaces will be created around the concept of universal design and will become peaceful and quiet places in the heart of nature, where everyone can come to relax, read, fish or picnic.

These two routes are a real asset and an excellent way to transform and revitalize the Pantalla area.