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Curtain walls and stacking folding doors were initially investigated but were scrapped for more traditional doors and window systems for the living units due to a concern that the elderly would not easily handle them alone. The windows were investigated as per the principle of ‘indoor sunlight’ (Pattern 128) (Alexander, et al., 1977) and the principle of ‘window place’ (Pattern 180) (Alexander, et al., 1977). The room’s orientation and the amount of natural light significantly impact the feeling inside a room. Therefore the windows were used to maximise the amount of sunlight in the units, and most of the units (most important spaces) are placed along the northern side of the proposed building. The balconies’ size and position were designed to the principle of ‘six-foot balconies’ (Pattern 167) (Alexander, et al., 1977) and are often made too small in order to save money. However, too small balconies have a detrimental effect on the use of the space, FIGURE 6.42: Semi Assisted Balconies.
resulting in wasted space. Therefore the positioning of the balcony is recessed into the proposed building (As per pattern 167) (Alexander, et al., 1977) to allow more balcony space and half enclosed to allow the elderly residents partial privacy, which would make them more comfortable. An opening is placed in the communal wall between two units to allow connections, regardless of whether the elderly are in the hallway or on their balcony. Canvas awnings were placed above the windows of all the elderly’s bedrooms as per the principle of ‘canvas roofs’ (Pattern 244) (Alexander, et al., 1977). The canvas awning softens the concrete and brick façade of the proposed building. The awnings cast sunshade over the windows and are retractable by the elderly to help filter the bright sunlight (in the case of an afternoon nap) without completely closing the curtains. In the event of rain, the awnings enable the elderly residents a sensory experience by allowing them to hear the rain, which typically cannot be heard in a concrete frame structure, on the canvas roofs by their windows. FIGURE 6.43: Fully Assisted Balconies.
01 INTRODUCTION 06: CONCEPT AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
06: AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT 01: CONCEPT INTRODUCTION
The following principles were investigated and incorporated into the design of the units:
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