Archinect - News

Exercise parks for senior citizens are popping up in cities worldwide

2019-11-04T15:42:00-05:00

[A]lthough culture does play a role, it is park location, design and amenities that most influence use among senior citizens. “Often older adults feel not welcome in parks that are primarily designed for younger populations,” [Professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, a professor of urban planning at UCLA] says. “In other words, parks are not psychologically accessible to them.”

Inspired by the exercise “playgrounds” for senior citizens that are common in China, similar parks are being designed in cities worldwide. The article takes a look at the specific design elements that are needed to make these parks appealing to older adults, as well as why these parks should be more of a priority in urban design.

Private funding for repairs and improvements could come to America's senior housing for the first time under new HUD rule

2019-08-01T19:09:00-04:00

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is close to finalizing a major reform of its extensive senior housing portfolio, allowing nonprofit owners of 125,000 apartments to tap private sources of financing for the first time. HUD built nearly 2,900 of these properties over the past three decades. Though owned by nonprofits, the federal government funded their construction and subsidized tenant rents.

The nation's recent crop of senior housing projects could see much-needed improvements come to reality as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loosens rules dictating where nonprofit building owners can draw funds from to make building repairs.

Tom Davis, director of the Office of Recapitalization at HUD told The Wall Street Journal, “Fundamentally what we’re trying to do is avoid the kind of capital backlog problem that other parts of the affordable housing portfolio have, like public housing."

How can architects design housing for intergenerational families?

2019-06-27T15:30:00-04:00

Since the first known use the term 'nuclear family' in 1941 (defined by George Murdock as "a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction[,] contain[ing] adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults), the common American perception of what constitutes a normal living situation has required serious revision.

Not only has the narrow definition of a 'family unit' failed to describe a significant number of households in the United States; it has also halted construction of housing units which may serve to foster families which do not fit the above description.

Very few American cities, for instance, allow for the construction of homes for 'grandfamilies,' defined as "families in which children reside with and are being raised by grandparents, other extended family members, and adults with whom they have a close family-like...

Contested Elizabeth Street Garden redevelopment in NYC receives city council approval

2019-06-26T18:37:00-04:00

It’s official: After years of debate, heated public hearings, and lawsuits, the City Council has voted to approve the redevelopment of the Elizabeth Street Garden into low-income housing for seniors. The Council’s vote was unanimous, save for one abstention from councilmember Rafael Espinal, who objected to the loss of a community garden for housing.

The Elizabeth Street Garden redevelopment in Manhattan's Little Italy neighborhood has been especially contested since one beloved green space was supposed to make way not for the usual luxury condo towers but for badly needed affordable housing designed for low-income seniors with support from Habitat for Humanity.

Street view. Image: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

As Curbed New York reports, "the new housing development, known as Haven Green, will have 123 affordable apartments for seniors (37 of which will be reserved for the formerly homeless), along with programming for its residents, ground-floor retail, and—as originally planned—around 8,000 square feet of open space."

Hollywood Center development near Capitol Records Building enters next phase

2018-08-29T13:24:00-04:00

The environmental review period for the $1-billion Hollywood Center development has kicked off, and an initial report for the project offers up new details on what's to come. The proposed mixed-use complex, slated for 4.5 acres of surface parking that wraps the iconic Capitol Records Building, would consist of four new buildings containing a total of 1,005 residential units - including 133 apartments to be set aside for extremely-low- and very-low-income seniors.

Previously: Hollywood Center towers proposed near Capitol Records Building

What makes an age-friendly city? Older citizens worldwide speak out

2016-04-28T20:35:00-04:00

“I believe it’s important for all ages to interact on a day to day basis. It...hopefully removes the labelling of people as ‘elderly’ or ‘past it’ and the self-fulfilling behaviours that are often generated by this.” “Cities need cross-generational activities...People living alone of whatever age can become isolated, lonely and then mental health problems can develop.” “Teach young people that we are not going to move over, nor do we have to.”

How do you define an age-friendly city? Share in the comment section below.

Nation's first combined housing complex for LGBT youth and seniors coming to Hollywood

2016-03-30T16:45:00-04:00

A first-in-the-nation complex to be built in Hollywood would house about 200 LGBT seniors and young adults on the same campus. Lorrie Jean, CEO of the the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which is building the $100 million complex, calls the two generation groups "the two most vulnerable parts of our community."

Midwest developer planning shared residence for seniors and young adults out of foster care

2015-02-02T14:14:00-05:00

The Vecino Group of Springfield, a developer based in Springfield, Missouri, is proposing intergenerational housing as a long-term sustainable solution. Inspired by a similar project in Portland, Oregon,, Vecino hopes to build a 60-unit affordable housing project in Tulsa, with 30 units designated for people aging out of foster care and 30 set aside for local seniors.[...] “Your hope is that your next door neighbor becomes your surrogate family. That would really be the hope”