4.0 to 4.3

4.0 Architectural Solution

The two groups of people namely the elderly and the orphans are having very similar problems including physically which is the existing social welfare buildings’ problems, and also mentally, this includes their inner feelings as mentioned in the previous chapter. Essentially, the two isolated groups of people can live together like a family under supervision and proper nursing care. By integrating old folks home with orphanage, the two generations can gain benefits from each other.

Fig : Two generations live together happily like a family

4.1 Mutual Relationship

Children have the wise role models as mentors in their life while elderly acquire accompaniment from the children. Other than that, children also get protection and guidance from the elderly while the elderly obtain support and respect from the children. Living together brings more happiness, joy, love and care which indirectly reduce the sense of loneliness. Nevertheless, combining the both homes together will also bring some problems but these can be solved by the cooperation from the government, designers, professional and trained staffs. Rational design should be implement to value human life and to make a better world for the abandoned.

4.2 Sense of Belonging

Orphanages and old folks homes are not only simple shelters for the abandoned, but a supporting living environment for them to continue their life. It is essential to create a comfortable, cozy and fitting space as this is the basic necessity for them.

4.2.1 Space Planning and Circulation

The very initial attempt to create such a suitable environment is through the space planning. Both public and private areas should be provided so that the users have the freedom to choose whether to stay in their individual areas or to interact with one another at the common area. They should live in a campus environment where both of them live separately, so that they have the freedom to stay in their own private areas or they can meet at the common area for social interaction. This is to avoid the problems of noise and different living lifestyle of the two generations. (diagram) Furthermore, children spaces need to be divided according to their age groups because they are under different stage of development. If the space given is very limited, partitions can be used to replace private rooms. Besides, modular furniture such as double deckle bed or bunk bed can be used to save space as shown in Fig __.

Fig : Modular beds are used in a kids bedroom to save space

To avoid having a too crowded space, the government plays a very important role to come out with a table stating the ratio of total number of users versus the square feet of a building. This template is to limit the total number of users in a social welfare centre as shown in the table below. This is to ensure that the space given is sufficient for them to carry out daily activities in an easy way in order to improve their impression of fitting into the space.

Example:

Size of the Building (sqft)	No of Staffs (min)	No of Residents (max)
5000	3	16
10000
15000

Table 1: Template to limit the number of residents and staffs within the specific area

A good circulation gives convenience for the users. This improves the flow of movement of the users in the space and give expediency for the users to carry out daily activities in a more efficient way. This includes the consideration of human ergonomics such as wide walkway for the elderly with wheelchair, spacious living area for the children to run around to express themselves and easy accessible for the visitors to enter the reception area. Additionally, simple and direct circulation helps the staffs to reach the users faster in case of any emergency. Fire escape and disability facilities are fundamental as well. The facilities such as the basic fans, water heater, cooking utensils, beds, tables and chairs can be old but they need to be well-maintained and sufficient enough to support the total number of residents in the building.

4.2. Colours

According to the educationalist Rudolph Steiner, colours have a spiritual influence and objective effect on our emotional life as well as benefiting physical health and mental well-being. This shows how important is the selection of colours in a living environment which indirectly affect the behavior of its users. Therefore, effort such as using the suitable wall paint and furniture colours at different areas should be done to create appropriate mood at that particular area in order to have the positive influence to the abandoned. To illustrate this, figures __ show the two different approaches of colours used for the children sleeping and study areas which create different senses and feeling to the space.

Fig : Soft apple green and sea blue radiates warmth and peace, suitable for boys' room.

Fig : Bright orange, light yellow and green create stimulation energy, suitable for a study room.

There is a cycle of changing colours throughout our lives, these are reflected in our changing colour preferences. Therefore, different colours are suitable for people under different age groups. However, softer and muted colours are suitable for both the young children and elderly.

Fig : Bright yellow and striking green express intense energy, suitable for teenagers

Fig : Teenagers love purple when their minds develop social awareness & outward thoughts

One always think that monotone is suitable for the elderly. In fact, variety of colours can boost interest in the world and keep cognitive function alive. Suitable colours need to be well selected so that they are emotionally supporting, physically nourishing and mentally soothing for the elderly.

Fig : Soft shades of greens with plywood creates peaceful environment for the elderly

As a summary, colours should be selected carefully so that the elderly and the children can feel that they are living in a home instead of a public social welfare centre with four plain walls. The sense of belong to the space is being depicted obviously by fitting what colour and what type of interior mood is actually suitable for the users.

4.3 Social Interaction and Communication

By integrating orphanage with old folks home, the two generations can share their knowledge and experiences with each other which indirectly solve the problem of lack of communication. Areas such as public dining area and garden promote interaction with one another as well. Architects and designers should work together to design more interactive areas in the social welfare buildings, for example indoor games room, library, classrooms etc. More activities should be carried out including yoga classes, music performance and festivals celebrations.

4.3.1 Interactive Furniture Design

Undeniably, designers play a very important role to create a better living space for the underprivileged. Modular and interactive furniture should replace the use of loose furniture in social welfare buildings to encourage the users to communicate with each other in order to create a lively atmosphere. Fig __ shows a 'S-shape' bench that promote interaction so that the users can chit-chat with each other easily.

Fig : S-shape bench suitable for the elderly for easy communication.

Children love to explore and discover, they need the power to manipulate things by their own. Hence, a modular designed furniture that triggers mind and creativeness is suitable for them as shown in Figure __. This type of furniture can be placed at the living area as a seating area for both the elderly and the children. Apart from that, Fig __ shows the creative way in arranging the seats where each chair can be rotated. This arrangement promotes communication because users can turn the chair to face each other.

Fig : A colourful modular designed furniture that encourages interaction between the children

Fig : Chair that can be rotated 360 degrees.

Another example to show innovative furniture that promotes social interactive is the 'U-shaped' seating area as shown in Fig __. It functions like a see-saw and this creates a fun learning environment which suitable for the children.

Fig : 'U-shape' see-saw chairs creates interactive and fun learning environment.