Our architect, Alla Anatolyevna Shevyrenkova, gave a short interview to the Stroitelstvo.RU portal on the topic of designing for older people. Her architectural studio solved the problems of organizing leisure spaces and other places for the elderly when working on the project for the Social Service Center in Biryulyovo.
“We have building codes for the disabled, but, alas, there are no building codes for the elderly,” complains Alla Shevyrenkova, head of the architectural workshop of the Moscow Architectural and Art Design Institute named after Academician Polyansky. — That is, we clearly know that if a facility is designed for people with disabilities, there must be a ramp, an elevator that can accommodate a wheelchair, special bathrooms, etc. What kind of architecture do the elderly need? This is where we have a real “clean slate” for now. There is no regulatory framework on this topic. “We recently came face to face with the design of a facility designed for the elderly,” our interlocutor continues. — We are talking about the Social Service Center of the capital’s Biryulyovo district. The first task we solved was what architectural appearance to give to the object. I think the American experience does not quite suit us. Russians, especially the older generation, have their own mentality. Our old people would hardly approve of any avant-garde solutions, with flashy colors and provocative architectural forms. Therefore, we settled on a calm facade of gray-brown natural tones. However, it must be said that the center building looks very modern due to the use of new building materials and planning solutions. A usable roof has been designed here, where old people can go up: take a walk, sit in the open air.
Full article: http://www.rcmm.ru/content/topics/942.html
