Thesis Draft 2

an architectural thesis by crystal keeran_newschool of architecture+design

iNTERgENERATIONAL

aRTS cENTER

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Thesis Advisor Andrew Duncan_+619.278.8464_aduncan@sbcglobal.net Outside Thesis Advisor Mary Lydon_+619.252.0295_mary.lydon@uli.org

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iNTRODUCTION + pRELIMINARY rESEARCH general description + thesis statement statement + background of the problem theoretical framework + scope of the study rATIONALE + gOALS sTATEMENTiNT ralrationale + purpose of study tYPOLOGICAL aNALYSIS kindergarten sigharstein_kadawittfeldarchitektur das generationenhaus west_kohlhoff+kohlhoff miss sargfabrik_bkk-3 villa van vijven_next architects fruitvale transit village_mclarand vasquez emsiek sITE aNALYSIS distance from city center + proximity to transit + adjacent uses building area + indoor_outdoor area + project site_zoning building use_user + vehicular_pedestrian circulation pROGRAMMING summary + narrative dESIGN sTUDIES charette massings + implementation of program site_program reselction + schematic massing space planning defition + phase one_design development interaction discovery + phase two_design development rESULTS site plan + floor plans + perspectives_elevations + sections + interiors

cONCLUSTIONS further study

aPPENDIX definitions + bibliography

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iNTRODUCTION + pRELIMINARY rESEARCH general description + thesis statement statement + background of the problem theoretical framework + scope of the study

Introduction + Preliminary Research

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Typologies:

Child Day Care Adult Day Care Art Center

Location:

4981 Market Street San Diego, California

This thesis proposes to design an Intergenerational Arts Center as a prototype for design of a transit-oriented development. The center will be built on an undeveloped parcel of land at 4981 Market Street in the Encanto Neighborhood of Chollas View in San Diego, California.

There is an interantaionl change to the age demographics of the human species. This pehnomenon has aided the transtional nuclear family and has segregated older adults as active members in society, which have both increased the travel distance for every generation.

Consequently, there is a need for increased generational interaction and decreased automobile usage. If we appropriately increase and organize the oppportunities avilable to the people from one generation to relate to people from other generations, more of these people will decide to make use of such opportunities

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and there will be more intergenerational interaction. The research for this thesis aims to acquire an understanding towards the design of a facility that can provide a support systme for the entire community without dependence on the automobile.

Studies have shown the impact individual and groups outside the family have on a child’s wellbeing, and how young people can brighten the lives of older generations. These two groups are truely what belong in the center of a community.

tHESIS sTATEMENT

an iNTERGENERATIONAL

aRTS cENTER located near transit

will provide a community resource by offering in-demand services for children and seniors

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FIGURE 1.1

Interconnection diagram of several phenomenon that this thesis hopes to address

DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE

CHANGE IN TRADITIONAL FAMILY STRUCTURE

INCREASED OLDER POPULATION

DISPERSED FAMILIES

DISLOCATED SENIORS

INCREASED AUTOMOBILE USAGE

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Introduction + Preliminary Research

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Demographic change is increasing automobile usage The changing age demographic and transitional family structure are forging the issues of physical proximity and decreased social interaction amongst multiple generations resulting in an increase in automobile dependence. The traditional family structure is changing, and older adults are being forced away from communities they have considered home just to be outcast from society. These phenomena raise a question regarding how architecture should respond to these issues facing each generation.

Demographic change involves an increased older population that has aided in the transformation of the nuclear family. The change in traditional family structure has dispersed families over a larger region. The increased older population’s role has also changed within family structure even though they continue to be directed outside of society for care. Dispersed families and dislocated seniors have increased distance, and therefore automobile usage. Thus, it could be said that demographic change is increasing automobile usage, and our affect on the environment.

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Introduction + Preliminary Research

BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM Old Age defined by appearance + capacity

Old Age defined by pension + retirement Horse-drawn streetcar

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Electric rapid transit, train + bus

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[1820-1870] Industrialization

[1845-1920] Women’s Rights Movement

[1847] American Medical Foundation founded

Changing Age Demographic

Industrialization and the establishment of the American Medical Foundation in the 19th century enabled older adults to live longer, and decreased childhood deaths. The changing welfare system has further shaped how old age and older people are viewed by other generations.

Age stereotypes of older people often include mental an dphysical decline, financial and social burden, and withdrawal from public and social life; however, there is an expansion the the grandparent rolde due to change in family structure and longer life. Support provided by grandparents to their children as parents is on the rise. The 21st century generations of grandparents are healthier, wealthier and eager

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to help on a limited basis.

Tranforming Traditional Family Structure

The patterns of family formation and relationships between family members are directly influenced by the demographic change.

In 1971, 68% of living adults were part of a married couple; in 2001, this changed to 50%.

The average age of marriage and child bearing has also increased. In the mid-1970s, the average age of first time brides was between 22-24; in 2000, this average changed to 27.

Trends of the 21st centruy show a shift towards fewer marriages, increased cohabitation and births outside of marriage, increase in divorce, remarriages, and reconstituted families, and an

FIGURE 1.2

Important historical events influencing presentead phenomena

Dominated by married-couple families

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Increasing divorce rate

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2010

[1914-1918] WWI [1973] Abortion Legalized

[1929-1940] Great Depression

[1939-1945] WWII [1945-1975] Vietnam War

[1924-PRES] Gay Rights Movement

increase in proportion of lone parent and smaller families. From 1991 to 2001, cohabitation doubled. The number of people living alone also doubled during this time from 3 million to 7 million. The reason most often brought forth through political and media attention is the rising divorce rate, which has increased steadily since the 1970s. Another reason is due to the increased desire for individuality. This brought forth changing ideas in regards to the right age to marry, greater sexual freedom, challenging gender norms, and increased opportunities in education, work and socail roles for women.

Intergenerational Programs

was first recognized in the 1960s. There have been several Intergeneratonal Programs that invite young and old to interact and become involved in the community. In the mid-1990s, one goal of the United Nations was to create a society for all ages. There is still relatively little research on intergenerational realtions at community, neighborhood, or public space level - trends within family or the wider nation are still not necessarily replicated in neighborhoods.

Although many such programs have been extensively researched, there is still a significant deficiency towards research in the design of architecture that responds to these programs.

The importance of intergenerational programs

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Introduction + Preliminary Research

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this thesis is to design an Introduction + Preliminary Research intergenerational arts center as a prototype for a THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK typology of transit-oriented development. Those generations that lack the most in regard to social interaction and independent transportation are children and seniors. The only experience, or lack thereof, with mental and physical capacity.

The project location is within one of the Pilot Village developments chosen under the city of San Dieg’s “City of Villages� strategy that shares the goal of benefiting communites citywide.

Some of the reasons this strategy came about include unment public facility standards, a changing economic base, and environmental challenges. All of which could benefit from what will be defined here as an intergenerational arts center.

The research problem has been narrowed down to the study of the following variable: seniors + children + transit.

Seniors

There is an importance for seniors to remain active within their community. Senior day care facilites can offer the elderly a social Many case studies looking at shared-site services environment that can improve life expectancy and generational interaction were observed and by inreasing physical and mental activity. analyzed for implementations of use. Each offer One method for seniors to remain active is unique solutions to either increase generational through generational interaction, especially interaction or to promote public transportation, with children. Another method is to enable but few are successful at combining these into senior mobility through pedestrian-oriented one cohesive solution. development that is in close proximity to transit.

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FIGURE 1.2

Venn Diagram showing relationships within thesis

Children

Families are struggling to find suitable care for their young children, and are faced with an increased demand to maintain employment in a downed economy. A child care facility located near transit can strengthen the community by providing a central location that would generate family-oriented activity. The entire community can benefit from a family-oriented envornment and generational interaction, which can be accomplished through a community arts center by placing different age groups under one roof and promoting creative interaction.

Transit-Oriented Development

There is an increased amount of pressure for the middle generations to traverse the miles in between to assist their loved ones. Locating indemand services for children and seniors near transit will create a better quality of life in a community arts center by increasing pedestrian and family-oriented activity, which will lead to an increasingly interactive community of multiple generations.

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rATIONALE + gOALS sTATEMENT rationale + purpose of the study