Elderly – friendly condominium design for intergenerational families in Bangkok

Abstract

Intergenerational households in Thailand are the result of Thai’s cultural values and beliefs, practiced throughout generations, forming the traditionally preferred living arrangements for Thai elderly. Adult children were to be responsible of their elderly parents’ welfare. However, changing attitudes and conflicts among family members have driven elderly parents away from living with their children. Conflicts within intergenerational households can be reduced through appropriate levels of privacy and intimacy. Nursing home is not an option preferred by elderly parents. The objective of this thesis is to redesign and reconfigure living space suitable for the elderly and their intergenerational families in Bangkok. This will raise awareness on safe living environment for the elderly in intergenerational families. The study focuses on designing an elderly-friendly condominium for intergenerational families to live together without family conflicts. In order to understand elderly in intergenerational families in Bangkok, previous literatures on the topic were reviewed. Recent studies showed that Thai elderly prefer to live separately from their children to avoid conflicts, but still believe that intergenerational living arrangement is beneficial. Related laws and regulations facilitating the elderly and handicaps in Thailand were reviewed as guidelines for an elderly-friendly environment. Case studies on nursing homes and condominium designs were conducted to understand spaces designed for Thai elderly. In addition, six intergenerational households, and a residence designed for a large intergenerational family were analyzed to understand how the living spaces were configured to fit each family’s needs. An elderly - friendly condominium for intergenerational families is derived. A site in Bearing is selected in consideration to land price and availability, as well as the conveniences of transportation, and its surrounding amenities for the elderly and the family. The condominium has a large building footprint to keep the number of floors low, for the safety of the elderly. The condominium gives alternatives for the elderly and adult family to either coreside as neighbors by living on designated floors, or together in intergenerational duplex units. Duplex rooms are reconfigured to enhance privacy and designated area for intimacy, so families can live together in harmony without the family conflicts. Private common areas are provided to enrich the elderly’s lives; and located to enhance natural ventilation. Medical and recreational facilities provided are open to the public to encourage social interactions between the elderly and the community, offering a safe living environment to support an active lifestyle. The thesis offers an elderly orientated vertical living environment within the context of Bangkok, as well as options to support intergenerational living.