How buildings can improve our lives, our mental and physical health and provide sensory experiences.
Akoya Greenwich by Alceon*
Location, location, location...The old mantra still works well for understanding buyers' interest in real estate, however, it is not a complete formula given the current market is shifting rapidly along with the buyer’s needs.
What makes a vertical village successful? We can find some answers if we understand the needs of a new social substrate of active retirees, the baby boomers (1946-1964), and GenX ( 1965-1980).
Understanding people needs
Understanding the target demographics is a good first step, as the term over 55(now over 60) is a blanket term to define almost 30% of the Australian population and does not capture the nuances of the particular group who will inhabit the development. Local context, the type of community we are planning for, and the elements that make a community thrive are elements to substantiate the following steps.
But, what is the resident of the future looking for? It depends, but as a common denominator most of us want to live a good life for longer in environments, whether social, physical, or spiritual, that underpin our aspirations.
Design for Health-span
Taking a person-centered approach (Thomas Kitwood) and through conversations, we can identify aspirations of the future residents of the urban vertical community, the main one is to continue an active and independent engagement with the world, and on their terms. The development should support this need by enhancing the ‘user’ physical and psychological well-being and health span, active and passive strategies. The times of the empty vessel are far behind now. Design for Health span is here to stay.
What can building do for us?
We should be asking how our buildings can improve our lives, our mental and physical health and provide sensory fulfilling human experiences.
Should we take as a case study Akoya Greenwich*, a vertical community nested in the leafy urban suburb of Greenwich? Akoya completely sold out with record sales and is possibly at the forefront of this generation of projects, it takes some alignment on a few fronts from inception.
In Akoya, there are a range of design strategies embedded in the design that promote a better life for the residents and create a true community.
1. Design for Health Span: There are forward-thinking concepts of Healthspan that have been tested in Akoya and other communities and have been great attractors for the residents, as we are designing for life, instead of retirement! The design aspiration is to keep the residents active longer and enjoy all the aspects of the human experience. Recognizing the human right to live in a building that underpins the human experiences is a first step. Some of the concepts explored in the development are:
a. Awe / Sense of Wonder: The experience of awe or sense of wonder has been documented through research to reduce stress levels, lowers high pressure as well as sharpen memory and mind. The residents can feel the impact on their well-being with a wonderful façade design that triggers their curiosity and desire to explore.
b. Biophilia: Exposure to nature has been proven to reduce stress levels and increase memory by a staggering 20% in study trials. Bringing nature into the apartment through a thoughtful landscape strategy is a critical element that enhances our well-being. The concept of backyard apartments with landscaped elements is paramount in connecting with nature.
c. Sensory experiences, daily. According to research, there are at least 7 known senses in the human body, including proprioception, the ability to sense movement or orient ourselves, and immune input, or how we experience depending on our immune system health. A good design can improve our ability to experience the physical environment in a way that can increase our well-being and minimize the impact of our limitations as we age. An example could be universal design, to facilitate accessibility to all spaces in a equitable form. Enjoying a beautiful sunset while bathing in the roof pool is an enhanced sensory joyful experience, and a positive health outcome afterward is expected.
2. Places for Social interaction. ‘Third places’, coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg is a term used to define those spaces that are not work or home but enable social interactions. Social interactions are key to avoiding loneliness and reducing stress levels, anxiety, and depression. In Akoya, high-quality third places have been deployed for different social interactive activities, from social entertainment areas at the rooftop to a traditional plaza and cafe at ground level to have an intergenerational experience to a social club at lower ground, all in a limited number of sqm.
3. Sense of purpose: The continuum of professional activities of seniors has been proven to provide a sense of purpose and maintain the sense of ‘usefulness’ of the individuals that belong to a certain ‘tribe’, at the same time the broader community benefits from it. Health benefits include higher levels of physical activity, better sleep, and reduced anxiety. A business Hub has been included in Akoya, which comprises commercial offices for residents to convey their business.
4. Physical activity. Physical activity is the cornerstone of the promotion of health, including an increase in dopamine levels or delay of chronic diseases according to research. Akoya has included a Wellness center with age-appropriate stations for residents, run by residents.
5. Home Care services: As the residents age, the need for inviting home care services on an on-demand basis will be revealed paramount.
In summary, a Vertical Village of the Future must put people first and design to a multilayered context, the type of community we are planning for and the elements that make that particular community thrive.
*Alceon developments. Akoya https://akoyagreenwich.com.au/
*The author directed the design of Akoya Greenwich during his tenure at marchesepartners architects.
Please contact Enrique Blanco de Cordova if you wish to discuss the article further:
Director and Founder of deBLANCO design studio
1 Denison Avenue, North Sydney. Australia
ph: 0439695945
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