We all begin to age from the very second we are alive. Over the years, our connection to our home, our house, and our familiar neighborhood grows stronger. Memories are embedded in objects, streets, and encounters – they define a sense of home and provide orientation. The desire to remain in one’s familiar surroundings increases. But what happens when the stairs become an obstacle? The nursing home must not remain the only alternative – especially in an aging society.

The project focuses on Flingern Nord (Düsseldorf) and three urban typologies: a row building, a traditional perimeter block, and a tower house. From each building, a 500-meter radius defines the study area. From this emerges a narrative that tells of the transformation of three existing buildings and envisions a more age-appropriate city through imaginative architectural visions. Three key levels guide the design: the age-friendly city (S), the community (G), and the private realm (B) – represented by the bathroom. Based on detailed analyses, interventions and new spatial programs are developed: public toilets, short-term and guest apartments, shared care homes, day care centers, and communal spaces.

A playful reinterpretation of accessibility standards (DIN norms) casts the bathroom in a new light – as a living bathroom, a hidden passage bathroom, or a minimal shower toilet. New ramps, elevators, and benches promote independence and social interaction. Interviews with people aged 65 to 90 reveal that aging is an individual process. Residential biographies shape where and how we wish to grow old. Personal objects from these conversations are woven into the visual and spatial designs. The project demonstrates that urban neighborhoods can be transformed to support aging – creating spaces that foster independence and allow for individual expression. 

To have a more indepth look at this thoroughly researched and detailed project click here.