Nurturing Roots:

Inter-generational Co-living

This architectural project encompasses a social housing initiative tailored to address the prevalent social isolation experienced by older residents following retirement and separation from their families. To foster a sense of belonging and familial connection, the project brief was adapted to include younger residents, facilitating intergenerational interactions that allow older individuals to impart their wisdom and mentor the younger generation. Drawing inspiration from the tradition of gathering around a tree to share stories with children, the courtyard layout evokes a reminiscent atmosphere. In addition to the courtyard, the scheme encompasses a dedicated toddler playgroup space where older residents can actively participate, attending workshops to learn how to teach, supervise, and mentor the young ones. Complementing these elements, a community library and communal garden further provide opportunities for older residents to engage with the community and spend their time in meaningful ways, fostering interaction, a sense of purpose, and ease.

The Toddler Playgroup & Community Library

Weekly toddler playgroup sessions offer older residents the opportunity to engage with and impart wisdom to children from Neepsend and beyond. Isolated from family and grandchildren, these residents can mentor young minds and prepare homemade meals in the adjacent community kitchen alongside their neighbors. The program revitalizes a sense of purpose and excitement that often fades after retirement.

A New Street: connecting residents with the wider community

The layout demonstrates its connection to the wider context through a new street front on the site's West side, accommodating temporary shop fronts. These shops establish a connection between the communal garden and the park, introducing a new public activity to the area. By integrating older residents into the community and providing opportunities for them to grow and sell produce and also interact with other shop owners, the scheme aligns with the brief's goal of mitigating social isolation.

Community Garden

The scheme features a community garden shared by residents of the co-living units, which are designed for those living largely alone (single to two-bedroom flats). The garden acts as a hub for connections, and invogorates the industrial scape of Neepsend with greenery and a sense of community.

Materiality and Space-making

Warm, rustic-hued materials such as mud-washed brick and clay were deliberately chosen to evoke a serene and cozy ambiance, serving as a contrast to Neepsend's industrial character. Ground floor units embrace an open-concept design, ensuring adaptability, while their single-level layout facilitates convenient accessibility for older residents.

Vibrant and pleasant colors like yellow and orange are strategically employed to saturate the neighborhood with a delightful and exuberant ambiance, fostering a spirited connection between older residents and their youthful counterparts.

Active frontage and street response

The design project incorporates a thoughtful street response that integrates various elements to foster a vibrant and engaging communal atmosphere. The communal kitchen, which opens directly onto the street, invites residents to actively participate in weekly sessions of providing food to the community, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and connection. Abundant benches and seating areas are strategically placed outdoors, creating inviting spaces where individuals can enjoy meals, engage in conversation, and relish the serene ambiance under the lush canopy of trees. The pedestrianized street, acting as a pivotal gathering point, not only fulfills the brief's objective of mitigating social isolation but also serves as a hub for public interaction and communal engagement. Moreover, the extension of the communal dining space onto the street enhances the scheme's public area, infusing it with vibrancy and vitality. Additionally, the delightful sound of children playing in the nearby toddler playgroup and park adds an element of leisure and playfulness, further enlivening the place and contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

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