Architecture Projects

Home From Home

The Home From Home project aims to provide a series of spaces including residential homes, a supermarket, launderette, art studio and other services which which aim to slow down the resident's cognitive decline, or at least, improve their quality of life. Longterm accommodation will be available to those suffering from cognitive impairment, in addition to on- call rooms for carers on shift, as well as short-term stays for families of residents, who wish to spend time with their loved-ones without the added stress of taking on the role as a carer. The temporary family accommodation takes on a form which mirrors that of Charles Moore's Sea Ranch Condominium, the materiality, however, will embrace textural and colourful contrast to zone spaces and provide them with an identity.

Architectural design regarding both cognitive and visual impairment share a lot of similarities, therefore the project will feature contrast in every surface and piece of furniture in an attempt to avoid accidents and to create mind-space connections, which over time, should become habitual to the resident, allowing them to quickly identify the kitchen via the green door, for example. The research I have carried out regarding the impact of contrast in relation to Alzheimer's disease means that interior design choices will be crucial to the success of this non-traditional care home.

The formerly derelict site, that is the East India dock basin, will transform into a piece of permanent infrastructure which will nurture the elderly and pay homage to the basin's history, via the extraction of earth from the site. which will be used in the walls, in addition to the repurposing of the warehouse into a greenhouse, which will be inhabited with stimulating plants to challenge the minds of the residents.