GRIPPALUV (Grip of Love): Elderly Community House in Bandung, Indonesia

Institut Teknologi Nasional Bandung

Project idea

The inspiration for designing this work is the importance for older adults in the community to increase their sense of empowerment, both with their peers as discussion partners who have more or less the same stories and thoughts and with those under their age to share about life, so that older adults feel that they can still be "exist."

The elderly need to socialize with peers, express complaints about their illness, about their family, for their mental health, and not bottle up their feelings so they do not become stressed and become physically ill.

The elderly need to be heard, especially older adults with post-power syndrome, who previously worked hard/retired, whose current situation makes them helpless and weak both physically and mentally.

Even though their thinking continues to develop, they should become wiser. Moreover, the passion/enthusiasm for life is still the same, even higher; there are still many who want to develop, learn from their life experiences, want to share with other people so that they feel their existence and empowerment.

Project description

This design accommodates community-based activities, especially for the elderly, who can join in the community through workshop classes, gatherings, playing chess, fishing, permaculture, reading, and discussions, as well as sharing sessions with younger people.

The design concept uses an organic and biophilic design approach in architecture. By zoning the space surrounding the main area, such as inner court, as a gathering point, the surrounding buildings have a fluid shape so that different spatial experiences do not create a monotonous impression, which is often difficult for dementia survivors.

The color choice and color scheme of this design are "earth tones" with terracotta highlights because older adults tend to need colors that are neutral and calming their souls. More contrasting color highlights act as path guides and markers for certain spaces and circulation to help direct and facilitate the mobilization of the elderly.

The choice of paint elements and materials that are textured and matte is due to the implementation of the emotional design concept, which is expected to influence the senses of older adults who can feel various textured touches so that they influence mental, mood, stimulate sensory stimuli through texturing materials and architectural elements so that in going about their daily lives there are various stimuli/not monotonous.

The environmentally friendly approach in this design concept is to prioritize passive energy sources. Natural lighting and ventilation are maximized in spaces with cross ventilation, and the part of the building facing the inner court is open plan and semi-outdoor, so it has good ventilation.

The materials used are recycled materials such as wood, which is used as floor coverings and facade cladding. There is a catchment area for rainwater, which is collected and then recycled so that it can be used as water for flushing toilets and for watering plants. There are permaculture activities so that the food ingredients available in the public kitchen are obtained fresh from the garden.

Technical information

The main aspect that influences the outline of the design is how the space accommodates community activities for the elderly, which provides a calming atmosphere for carrying out social activities so that the design responds to issues among the elderly, who often feel lonely and helpless.

The design principles approach taken is a direct observation of elderly activities, literature study, planning programming regarding the relationship between observation results and existing literature, then implemented by responding to issues in product design.

During research on this project, the parties who were sources of information were the activities of grandfathers and researchers related to the elderly.

The questions formulated in the problem formulation are mainly regarding the activities and behavior of the elderly in their old age and how architecture can improve the quality of life of the elderly.
The research method uses literature study and direct observation in the field. The data is analyzed, then processed and responded to with architectural design.

Fluid and organic form and massing, earth tone colors with terracotta color highlights for the elderly related to emotional design.

Accessibilities and movement are the very basis for how older adults carry out their activities. With the existence of older adults-friendly ramps with friendly slopes, no stairs, horizontal-based design, the building only has one floor.

Older adults still need to do social activities even though their daily life is dominated by contemplation and relaxation. Community activities such as discussions, workshops, outbound, and studies are still needed as facilitators of self-empowerment.

These activities need to be accommodated with supporting facilities and how architecture can improve the quality of life for the elderly.

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