This project was located in Waterford city across from the People’s Park along the River Suir and was the subject of my final year architectural thesis. 

The thesis challenged the extents of the current unsustainable housing model and sets the design development objective to ameliorate circumstances that create disconnects in our communities between citizens of different age profiles by promoting aging in place.     

What was unique about this project, which set it aside from others, was the work methodology followed during the research stages of the thesis. Direct engagement with perspective occupants of the proposed development was essential to get accurate insights from a cross generational group.

Changing needs are concomitant with our progression through the stages of our lives and therefore with our age. The flexibility of the housing model would accommodate the changing requirements of the occupants as their circumstances change. The proposed housing units could potentially contain a fixed structure while the internal elements could be modified to become a different housing type as needs changed. 

The design contained not only flexible housing units but other developments to meet the typical needs of an intergenerational group of residents and therefore provide for a sustainable community.