The Confluence: Intergenerational Living Community Space
Location: Arena District Columbus, OH
Principles: Sociability, Flexibility, Futurizing
Tasked with designing retirement communities in the future when Gen-Z gets to retirement age, introspective thinking and evaluation of values, social style, and everyday habits influenced how the space we created reflected the values set for the project. In reflecting on habits and values, isolation and lack of physical activity were things that one could not live with. Not only that but with the current state of senior living and how its systematically operated really calls into question that habits surrounding taking care of our elders. Designing a space that caters not only to a different generation but a different systematic way of functioning created a space driven by the community around it.
Partnered with like-minded classmates, the 6 of us tackled designing a 13 floor senior residence with those similar values driving our design decisions. Tasked with community gathering and events, the focus shifted to ample, flexible space for community events, education opportunities, meetings, and additional gathering options to connect the residents from multiple generations, nationalities, genders, and economic statuses together. Whether events are held by partnering organizations or a group of residents, the goal was to bring the outside community close to the residents and families while also providing them space to get away from their rooms to create connections through social interaction. Named after its proximity to the Olentangy River, the space reflects the strength and flexibility of the river while organic forms create a playful, youthful design for all ages.
Fostering a youthful energy, the play zone hosts an air hockey table, outdoor ping-pong, creative table, and adjacent screening room for a variety of activities. Complete with a lounge, the zone invites people of all ages to unwind with some fun.
In tandem with the working zone, the dining area pairs with a learning kitchen for recipes, meals, and ideas to be shared amongst residents and their community. Plenty of seating allows for larger crowds while nanotech dividing walls allow space division and video projection.
Building Program
