Chapter Three: Case Study Examples of Colour Indication Consideration in Contemporary Aged Care Facilities

Chapter Three: Case Study Examples of Colour Indication Consideration in Contemporary Aged Care Facilities

The developed understanding of the physical and psychological well-being properties of colour application through both a visual and physical means, has allowed for contemporary health care facilities to incorporate this understanding into their designs. However consideration must also be taken into why certain colours should and should not be used and the associated age-related deficiencies which may affect how and whether individuals can perceive these colours. Chapter Three will focus on the three ideas of colour usage as movement, behaviour and social indicators as established in Chapter Two, through the introduction and analysis of three contemporary case study examples which successfully enable these indicators through the incorporation of colour into their spatial designs in order to achieve physical and psychological well-being. The Santa Rita Geriatric Centre by Manuel Ocaña enables colour as a movement indicator to assist senior patients with way-finding and orientation. The Maison d’Accueil Spécialisé Nursing Home for the Seriously Disabled in Mattaincourt, France, designed by Dominique Coulon & Associates encompasses colour through both the built environment and natural surroundings in order to promote behavioural well-being. Torre Julia is a housing complex for senior citizens designed by Ricard Galiana, Sergi Pons and Pau Vidal which utilises colour as a social indicator in order to encourage residents to move through common spaces and initiate social interaction. By understanding the need for considered colour, these architects have designed three completely separate spaces which each individually utilising natural and built colour in new and different ways, as well as a visual indicator for patients in order to benefit their lives through physical, behavioural and social well-being.

Case Study One: Colour as a Movement Indicator

The Santa Rita Geriatric Centre in Menorca, Spain is an aged care facility designed by architect Manuel Ocaña which accommodates residents who are in the last phase of their lives. Completed in 2009, the structure sits across 5900 square metres and accommodates 70 patients and 20 day staff (Feddersen et al. 2009: 186). Ocaña aimed to design a structure which did not physically resemble a typical hospital instead creating a space which provided patients with privacy, accessibility and self-determined freedom. The site is highly reflective of its context; the form itself is a topographical loop of the filled in quarry on which it is situated, Ocaña has also used contour lines derived from the topography of the quarry on the concrete ceiling of the circulation. The two storey structure is comprised of four main elements: the patients rooms which are accessible from both the interior and exterior courtyards, three interior courtyards, health care and recreational facilities and the circulation path which connects the spaces to one another. The space is broken

down into three main ‘living loops’ with each having patient rooms and facilities surrounding an interior courtyard (Feddersen et al. 2009: 187). The space is governed by the principle of openness; the circulation areas are generously accessible with direct views into the different courtyards, freestanding toilets and therapy spaces. Ocaña has used both natural and built colour within the structure, with the previously mentioned coloured lines painted on the concrete slab ceiling reflecting ‘the contours of the topography of the former quarry below’ (Feddersen et al. 2009: 187). The coloured contour lines provide patients with orientation through the three ‘living loops’, guiding them from their rooms to the therapy facilities and social spaces. The coloured lines harness a consistent palette in each of the zones, using various shades of orange, green and red. These lines and colours are further reflected in the common areas and treatment spaces where Ocaña has continued them on the ceiling whilst also using them on the walls (seen in Figures 3.1 and 3.2). The use of coloured lines as a movement indicator within the Santa Rita Geriatric Centre, assists patients through physical and visual cues in the way-finding process (Borrie et al. 2004). The pathways provide the patients will circulation however the use of the the coloured lines allows patients to associate a given colour with a given space that uses the same colour walls, assisting to build patterns in their memory through a daily understanding and recollection of the areas they visit or use. The three interior courtyards also introduce natural colour through vegetation and foliage, providing various perspectives which stimulate and encourage the residents to ‘discover their environment’. The use of colour highlights the idea introduced in Chapter Two surrounding the need for aged care patients to be physical and active, rather than confined to their private living spaces, in order to promote both physical and mental well-being (Mozzer 2014). Consequently, The Santa Rita Geriatric Centre is a facility that successfully uses colours as a movement indicator, assisting patients with way-finding within the space. The consideration in to how the colours link to an associated space, assists patients through their daily lives and enables them to participate in physical and therapeutic activities which promotes physical well-being.

Figure 3.1 Colour as a Movement Indicator, The Santa Rita Geriatric Centre, Menorca, Spain, Manuel Ocaña, Photographed by Miguel de Guzmán 2009, accessed 14 November 2019 <https://www.archdaily.com/24725/santa-ritageriatric-center-manuel-ocana>

Figure 3.2 Colour as a Movement Indicator, The Santa Rita Geriatric Centre, Menorca, Spain, Manuel Ocaña, Photographed by Miguel de Guzmán 2009, accessed 14 November 2019 <https://www.archdaily.com/24725/santarita-geriatric-center-manuel-ocana>

Case Study Two: Colour as a Behaviour Indicator

The Maison d’Accueil Spécialisé (MAS) Nursing Home for the Seriously Disabled is an aged care facility located in Mattaincourt, France. Designed by Dominique Coulon and Associates, the structure was completed in 2010 and spans across 3250 square metres. The Mattaincourt facility harnesses the properties of both natural colour and built colour, which further reflects the natural environment in which the building is situated, in order to create a space which promotes behavioural well-being. The architectural work of Dominique Coulon and Associates has a strong focus on using colour in minimal yet impactful ways whilst harnessing the natural beauty of the environment in which the structure is situated. They have successfully done so with the Mattaincourt facility, succinctly blending the large building into the topography of the landscape. The design is situated across two-storey’s which are divided into operational work and living spaces. The first floor houses the internal garden, administration, staff premises and public reception spaces, creating a smooth transition between the public and private spaces. The second floor accommodates 40 individual patient rooms, common living areas and treatment facilities. (Dominique Coulon and Associates 2010). The second floor utilises wide open circulation spaces in order to promote ‘fluid movement’, with large windows which provide views into the surrounding landscape. Coulon and Associates have used colourful patios which incorporate built colour as well as harnessing natural colour and lighting, to create peaceful spaces, which also act a movement indicator; guiding patients as they move through the building (Dominique Coulon and Associates 2010). The patient’s rooms are situated around the outer edge of the building, centralising the interior garden. Each room has openings on both sides; one to the interior corridor and one to the individual patio, with the patios providing filtration and natural light. Coulon and Associates has focused on the direct connection with the natural environment by insuring that all other openings in their room apart from the door to the corridor connect the resident to nature. The brightly colour corridors and patios contrast from the calmer private spaces of the residents (refer to Figures 3.3 and 3.4). Thus, creating a space that ‘detaches itself from the institution to form a personal space’, allowing the residents to feel comfortable and at home. The treatment facilities along with the common areas, which include the dining area and activity room, are positioned around the centralised heart of the building. Once again the architects have allowed for the direct connection with natural colour and the surrounding landscape by using openings within the central space to connect it to a panoramic patio. The multiple patio’s which are positioned within the space invite tranquility and peacefulness, invoking an atmosphere that supports self-healing and well-being. Coulon and Associates have used various shades of orange, green and red to paint the interior spaces and walls. These colour work to harmonise with the surrounding landscape, with wildflowers and grass in similar shades growing around the building. Ultimately, the architects have successfully created an environment that uses colour and the natural environment to generate a peaceful space which promotes patients well-being.

Figure 3.3 Colour as a Behaviour Indicator, Home for the Seriously Disabled, Mattaincourt, France, Dominique Coulon and Associates, Photographed by Eugeni Pons 2010, accessed 14 November 2019, <http://coulonarchitecte.fr/projet/564/mattaincourt>

Figure 3.4 Colour as a Behaviour Indicator, Home for the Seriously Disabled, Mattaincourt, France, Dominique Coulon and Associates, Photographed by Eugeni Pons 2010, accessed 14 November 2019, <http://coulon-architecte.fr/projet/564/mattaincourt>

Case Study Three: Colour as a Social Indicator

Designed by architects Ricard Galiana, Sergi Pons and Pau Vidal, Torre Julia is a 17-storey government issued apartment block for senior citizens which was completed in 2011. Located in Barcelona, Spain, the structure covers 8391 square metres with 77 apartments as well as seperate communal areas, storage and parking spaces.The building uses colour as a social indicator through the division of three distinct coloured areas, also referred to as communities. The architects use of three different shades; a dark green, light green and bright yellow, help to distinguish the seperate communities and corner communal spaces, creating orientation through the space. The green and yellow provide a ‘calming’ and ‘uplifting’ environment as described by architect Pons, however it is also reflective of the nearby soccer field which can be viewed from the balconies and circulation space located on the facade of the building, ultimately connecting the building to its surrounding context (refer to Figure 3.5) (Frearson 2012). The architects have used colour not only as a movement indicator but as a strong social indicator to positively influence the residents daily activities and well-being. The building features wide corridors which overlook the city, providing residents with direct and extensive views, in order to create an open space that does not confine the user. The communities which each span across five levels, feature larger assigned community spaces as well as staircases, painted in the corresponding yellow or green colours, which lead to double height communal spaces that overlook the surrounding area (refer to Figures 24

3.6 and 3.7); to which the architects describe as ‘intended to give elderly people an opportunity to socialise and engage in community activities’ (Spanish Architects 2019). The roof top garden, which employs a consistent white and green colour palette, through the use of natural plant colour and white Acieroid metal cladding, also acts as a socialisation space for both residents, visitors and their families. The colourful corridors act as a guide for residents, leading them to the community and social spaces, prompting an increase in interaction and communication; an important activity for elderly people who suffer from reclusion and antisocial behaviour as they age (Fedderson et al. 2009: 30). The architects have also considered the physical well-being of the residents, designing the first floor interior spaces to ‘become an extension of the exterior’ street level, hence improving accessibility and creating a fluidity between the interior and exterior to which the residents can move freely thus encouraging movement and exercise (Spanish Architects 2019). The first floor spaces are primarily white with small accents of green and yellow foreshadowing and navigating the residents to the colour communities above. The architects further envisioned the corridors as

streets, creating an environment that although is still within the building, allows the residents to perceive as if they were in a ‘healthy, bright outdoor space’ (Spanish Architects 2019). Torre Julia has successfully been designed to fulfil its intention, creating a community space within a residential building. The architects focus on a consistent course of interaction and communication between the elderly community through colour oriented communal spaces assists in the general well-being of the residents.

Figure 3.5, Structure and Surrounding Content, Torre Julia, Barcelona, Spain, Ricard Galiana, Sergi Pons and Pau Vidal, Photographed by Adrià Goula 2012, accessed 14 November 2019, <https://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/18/torrejulia-housing-by-pau-vidal-sergi-pons-and-ricard-galiana/>

Figure 3.6 Colour as a Social Indicator in Double Height Spaces, Torre Julia, Barcelona, Spain, Ricard Galiana, Sergi Pons and Pau Vidal, Photographed by Adrià Goula 2012, accessed 14 November 2019, <https://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/18/torre-juliahousing-by-pau-vidal-sergi-pons-and-ricard-galiana/>

Figure 3.7 Front Elevation, Torre Julia, Barcelona, Spain, Ricard Galiana, Sergi Pons and Pau Vidal, Photographed by Adrià Goula 2012, accessed 14 November 2019, <https://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/18/torre-julia-housingby-pau-vidal-sergi-pons-and-ricard-galiana/>

Through analysis it is evident that all three case study examples harness colour as a movement indicator, providing orientation and assisting residents in way-finding through the spaces. However, the examples of the Mattaincourt Nursing Home for the Seriously Disabled and the Torre Julia apartment block both utilise colour as more than just a movement indicator, with a focus on behavioural and social well-being. Although these spaces successfully use colour to benefit the residents and patients, there needs to be more consideration into which colours are used in these spaces, particularly if they are catering for elderly users who may be affected by visual and psychological age-affiliated deficiencies.