The client is a nonprofit organization based in Georgia. Their goal is to create a genuine senior living community that allows residents to stay connected with their loved ones while expanding their circle of friends and neighbors.
When I began reflecting on the idea of travel, the book The Old Patagonian Express naturally came to mind. The author shows no interest in traditional travel; instead, his journey is centered on observing people along the way using different modes of transportation. His profound and unconventional understanding of travel left a lasting impression on me.
Thus, the concept of this design is "Journey."
The word "journey" evokes excitement and hope, capturing the beauty of progress and discovery. By using this as the design concept for a residential space, the intention is to immerse residents in this sense of wonder. Everyone living in this home can embark on an endless journey, finding joy and inspiration in their everyday lives.
The space is required to include the following functional areas: Reception, Lounging Area, Restroom, Dining Room, Library, Theater, Yoga Room, Kitchen, Mechanical Room, and Storage Room (as per assignment requirements).
Restrooms should not be located in peripheral corners, as they may be difficult for elderly individuals with limited mobility to access. Additionally, the building's perimeter features large floor-to-ceiling windows, making these areas unsuitable for restrooms. Therefore, restrooms should be positioned closer to the center of the building and near areas with higher foot traffic. Quiet zones, on the other hand, are placed along the edges of the building to ensure a more tranquil environment.
The flooring features custom carpets, with different colors used to define zones and represent thematic ideas: green for nature, blue for the ocean, and gray for the city. To embody the "journey" concept, the railway is simplified into brown double lines, while the road is represented by a white single line. Areas with wooden flooring and tiled flooring symbolize various stations along the journey.
1. Front Desk
2. Lounging Area
3. Restroom
4. Dining Room
5. Library
6. Theater
7. Yoga Room
8. Kitchen
9. Mechanical Room
10. Storage Room
1. Wood Wheel
→ Represents the Railway
2. Trapezoidal Wood Board
→ Symbolizes the Ceiling of an Old Station
3. Wave-Shaped Aluminum Board
→ Represents Waves
The reception desk is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, meeting the needs of elderly residents with mobility challenges.
The ceiling features wheel-shaped decorations that enhance the overall concept and subtly guide the circulation path.
The reception area embodies the aesthetic of a vintage train station, with carefully selected materials and lighting fixtures contributing to this theme.
This area simulates an urban landscape. The ceiling design represents a city metro map, while the floor colors evoke the feel of urban roads. The handrails feature leather-padded tops, providing a comfortable and safe grip for elderly residents. These handrails also serve to divide different conversation zones, ensuring privacy and minimizing disturbances between areas. The perforated patterns on the handrails symbolize the architecture of the city.
This area represents a sea journey. Each set of tables and chairs symbolizes a ship. The wallpaper features nautical charts, while the circular frames on the wall evoke the design of portholes, adding to the maritime theme. Wooden columns separating the dining room from other areas symbolize masts, further enhancing the connection to a seafaring journey.
The clients are an elderly couple. The diagram below summarizes their individual needs, with the central connecting area representing their shared requirements.
The overarching concept of this project is travel, with the public spaces reflecting the idea of a journey. For the private residence, I drew inspiration from the concept of a hotel.
In most European languages, the word "hotel" is rooted in the idea of "hospitality." When I think of a welcoming space, the first image that comes to mind is a pair of open arms. This subconscious gesture symbolizes friendship and trust when extended to greet someone. When the arms come together in an embrace, they convey protection and affection, embodying the essence of warmth and care in a personal living space.
The space is required to include the following functional areas: Living Room, Kitchen, Dining Room, Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Closet, Guest Bedroom, Guest Bathroom, Hobby Room, Outdoor Patio, Storage Room, Laundry Room, Mechanical Room, and Powder Room (as per assignment requirements).
The open space should be positioned in the center, separating the guest bedroom and the master bedroom on either side. This layout enhances the privacy of both areas.
Circular patterns are featured on the flooring, including both carpet and wooden surfaces. The circular designs on the wooden flooring also help to distinguish different functional areas. Additionally, the furniture and the overall spatial layout incorporate circular shapes to maintain a cohesive design language.
1. Entry
2. Living Room
3. Kitchen
4. Dining Room
5. Master Bedroom
6. Master Bathroom
7. Walk-in Closet
8. Guest Bedroom
9. Guest Bathroom
10. Hobby Room
11. Outdoor Patio
12. Storage Room
13. LaundryRoom
14. Mechanical Room
15. Powder Room
1. Funnel-Shaped Ceiling
→ Enhances the concept of embrace
2. Wood Board (Wall and Ceiling)
→ Creates a sense of enclosure
3. Wood Board (Only Ceiling)
→ Defines separate zones
The wall-mounted plants and skylight-like ceiling design align with the concept of connecting with nature. In addition to the predominant circular shapes in the space, the sofa design also reflects the "embrace" concept, offering a sense of enclosure and comfort to those seated.
Ample space has been left beneath the sink to accommodate a wheelchair, ensuring accessibility in case the homeowner requires one in the future.
The use of wooden materials to enclose the sleeping area evokes the feeling of a cabin in the woods, providing a sense of warmth, enclosure, and security.
