4.4 to 4.7

4.4 Mental and Physical Health

The location of a social welfare centre need to be close to the nature due to the reasons of low traffic flow and noise level. Living in such a quiet and peaceful environment will facilitate healing for the elderly. In the case where residential area is used as the social welfare centre, a garden should be integrated into the centre with the aim of creating a therapeutic environment. According to Christine Joy, Royal Botanic Garden Education Coordinator from Australia, gardens provide the perfect learning space for children of all abilities, interests and learning styles. (Referencing) Moreover, children's physical participation with the natural landscape elements extend to satisfaction and the experience will remain in their memories which is the derivative place of attachment. In brief, natural surroundings are suitable for both the children and elderly to have a more healthy living life.

Fig : Firm RPA Tree House

Fig : Garden - Interactive and explorative Montensorri kindergarten

Apart from that, proper nursing care is very important and services such as body check-up and blood pressure tests have to be done regularly to ensure the health of the residents. So, the role of nurses, doctors and health consultants is very important in maintaining the physical condition of the residents. Areas such as medical rooms, rehabilitation area and meditation room can be provided for the purpose of physical health. Varieties of activities such as yoga classes, physical therapy, weight-lifting etc are encouraged so that the elderly will not too dependent on wheelchair and walking sticks.

Fig : An example of a simple rehabilitation room with full exercises equipments.

Fig : Aisle with handle for movement. Caregivers play an important role in monitoring the elderly to ensure safety.

Additionally, the use of natural material which is environmental friendly promotes health too as the building blends into the nature. Living in the building made out of natural raw materials with natural ventilation and light resource helps to improve the quality of health. Examples include the Soe Ker Tie Orphanage Home at Thailand where bamboos are used as a sustainable material which corresponds with the green living environment of today. Moreover, the various interactive architectural features in the home such as swing of bamboo and ropes outside the unit, opening in the facade for communication purpose and the beds layout that offers both privacy and social interaction in the home provides a fun milieu for the children to learn and grow. Children feel attached to the space and they value it not only for satisfaction of physical needs but for its intrinsic qualities. (Chawla, 1992 p.64)

Fig : Soe Ker Tie Orphanage Home, Thailand

Fig :  Another example of a study room which using natural plywood flooring and furniture.

Fig : An old folks home in ___ with raw materials and colours for the bedroom.

On the other hand, designers should design according to the users' daily routine and understand the storyline of their living lifestyle. For example, the elderly are very forgetful and they tend to forget where they put their belongings after they brush their teeth or take a bath. Hence, a low multipurpose cabinet is advisable to be put near the toilet. Correspondingly, study room for children has to be far away from the living hall and games area to avoid noise because children need to concentrate on studies especially during the examination period. All these solutions suggested are good for mental health of the both generations.

4.5 Education - Positive Learning

Apart from the benefits discussed in Chapter 4.4, living in a natural environment also endorse positive learning for both the elderly and the children. The empirical studies by Fjortort (2004) implicate that kindergarten or hospitals ward should be integrated with the outdoor spaces especially greenery. The building not only acts as an environment for learning or health recovery but also a physical setting that stimulate positive behavior responses. Nature also encourages the development of six senses which stimulate the growth of the young children. Variety of activities such as gardening, exercises and many other outdoor activities give the opportunities for the children to explore, imagine and discover. This is good for the elderly' health as fresh air and natural sunlight also encourage positive emotions. Consequently, the both generations can live, play and learn together. Besides, outdoor spaces also represent freedom which the both generations are looking forward to.

 

Fig : A large area of greenery where children can have various type of activities here, an integration of old folks home and orphanage, Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih, Kajang.

In the condition where extra spaces are given, areas such as painting studio, computer rooms, music room and library can be provided. These areas need to be well designed with sufficient lighting in order to create a lively, bright and fun learning environment for the children. The division of space for the male and female children is important to ensure safety and healthy living environment. In psychology perspective, children like to move around in a circle. Thus, circular shape is being used in the children space, examples are shown in Figures _ & _.

Fig : Circular shape being used in children's play area.

Apart from that, a mini gallery to display the children's artwork is another credit to the space, not only for the children to have the chance to express their creativity, but also for the visitors to enjoy the beauty of their artworks. Furthermore, a mini stage can be provided as well if the space given is sufficient enough. Performances like dancing, singing and story-telling as well as competitions can be organized regularly. This is to develop their talents since young and indirectly makes the children feel being appreciated.

Fig : Mini gallery in an orphanage

4.6 Sense of Contribution

By integrating old folks home together with orphanage, the both generations can contribute and take care of each other, and this will indirectly solve the problem of lack of sense of contribution of the elderly and to increase the sense of responsibility for the children since small. This can be done through the cooperation in carrying out daily activities such as preparing food, cooking and take turn to wash the plates. They are trained to help each other in order to have a proper meal every day. Other than a long-term training for the children in cooperation with others, this is also an opportunity to educate them the importance to respect to the elderly.

Fig : kitchen - two generations preparing food

Other than that, the cooperation of the both generations in maintaining the home's cleanliness is another effort that can be done so that they feel that they are attached to each other. Besides, this is to let the elderly feel that life is meaningful and they are still useful through these daily contribution to their own living environment. In this case, a household timetable can be set and the role of the staffs in monitoring their progression is crucial.

Fig : two generations maintaining the cleanliness of the house / timetable (sketches)

Also, areas such as computer room, study room and library support the idea of contribution where the elderly can share their old stories and experiences to the children while the children can teach the elderly about the computer skills and latest technology as shown in Figures _&_.

Fig : One of the elderly shares his old stories to the child.

Fig : Elderly and child learn computer skills together.

In a nutshell, activities and areas where the both generations can participate together will increase their sense of contribution to each other in order for them to have a closer relationship.

4.7 Social Participation

Exterior design of the home is significant to give the first impression to the public. What's more, a good facade design which is welcoming can strengthen the awareness of community towards the rights and necessaries of the abandoned namely the old folks and the orphans in this case. It is essential to incorporate social participation into every social welfare buildings so that the abandoned believe that they are still being appreciated and welcome by the society. To achieve this, a multipurpose area such as a mini hall or living area is needed for festivals and birthday celebration between the abandoned and the public.