I
A Place for Elderly Congregate Living:
A Design Study Exploring the Physical,
Visual, and Functional Qualities of
Shared Residential Space
B.
by
Bradford Edgerly
Design, University of
1976
Florida
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
June
1983
Bradford Edgerly 1983
The Author hereby grants to M.I.T. permission to reproduce
and to distribute copies of this thesis document in whole or
in part.
Signature of Author
Department
Bradford Edgerly,
Architecture, May 6, 1983
Certified by
Nabeel Pfmdi, Ass istant
Thesis Supervisor
Prof.of
of
__
Housing Design
Accepted by
Jan Wampler, Chairman, Department Co miteelor
Graduate Studies
Rote&
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGy
MAY 26 1983
LIBRARIES
2
Table of Contects
page
Abstract........................................... .4
Part One
The Living Patterns of Elderly Individuals..
Independence and Choice..................
Community and Privacy.....................
Order and Diversity......................
.......5
......10
......13
......16
Part Two
An Analysis of the Captain Clarence Eldridge
House, Hyannis, Massachusetts...... ...............18
Independence and Choice......... ............................. 22
Community and Privacy........... ............................. 31
Order and Diversity............. ............................. 35
Part Three
Formal References..........
Independence and Choice.
Community and Privacy...
Order and Diversity.....
.40
.41
.51
.57
Part Four
A Design Proposal....
The Context.......
Plans, Elevations, Sections.
Design Diagrams...
Structure Diagram.
.62
.65
.71
.82
.87
Bibliography....................... ...........e......89
3
To Jean,
for sharing the journey...
4
A
Place for Elderly Congregate Living:
A Design Study Exploring the Physical, Visual, and
Functional Qualities of Shared Residential Space
By Bradford Edgerly
SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ABSTRACT
The concept of congregate housing is based upon an idea
that frail elderly individuals living in a communal setting
are offered significant social and psychological benefits
which could not be acquired in an institutionalized setting.
The congregate domestic environment brings together people
of divergent backgrounds and attempts to foster a sense of
community through the social interaction that comes from
sharing intimate daily experiences in a home-like setting
without sacrificing individuality and freedom of choice.
The congregate housing concept integrates the community
realm with the private dwelling place to a greater degree
than is present in most housing types.. The development of
spatial patterns which respond to this public/private
intimacy are critical to a project which aims at maintaining
the integrity of each realm.
A congregate house is an in-between place without clear
In order to work
precedent as a residential type.
public, semi-public,
define
clearly
must
it
effectively
an inn or boarding
(like
space
private
and
semi-private,
qualities
environmental
the
sacrifice
not
do
house) which
dwellers
Congregate
residence.
family
single
a
of
typical
homogenous
and
intimate
as
not
is
which
community
a
in
live
as family, but is not as divergent as a community of
Their community is in-between,
seasonal guests at a hotel.
challenged to conceive must
is
designer
the
and the place
it.
to
quality
in-between
have an
This search for an understanding of the nature of
shared residential space is organized in four parts.
first evaluates
The
research regarding elderly living patterns,
the second analyzes an existing congregate house in terms of
form and use, the third presents formal references which
might support a communal domestic environment, and the final
part presents a design proposal based upon the previous
analysis and a site specific and program specific context.
4A
Each of the four parts is discussed in terms of three
general headings which represent major issues of
consideration regarding the nature of congregate space, they
are:
independence and choice, community and privacy, and
order and diversity.
Each of these headings relates in
different ways to the form and use characteristics of the
congregate environment.
Consideration of each results in
formulating specific goals which the designer uses as a
measure of the effectiveness of the place conceived.
Thesis Supervisor:
Nabeel Hamdi
Title:
Assistant Professor of Housing.Design
5
The Living Patterns of Elderly Individuals
With advancing age most
individuals undergo profound
social changes which transform their
physical and
relationship to the environment
their living patterns and/or environment
person must modify
in order
in such a way that each
to maintain the personal
independence and
self-confidence which characterized an earlier way of
living.
The role of the designer of
for the
a home-place
elderly requires an understanding and acknowledgement of
changes which come with age,
and a commitment to conceive of
an environment which mitigates the
and
nurtures
the
the aged
limitations of
its potential opportunities.
Many people enter elderly housing communities
as a
result of a need to change both their home environment and
patterns of
The decision to change the home-place
living.
may come of necessity due to physical,
incapacities, or may come of an
for
The
future needs.
social, or economical
independent decision to plan
need to change the home-place may
come from a reduction in physical/sensory capability, a
radical change in personal finances, or
a change
in an
The passage from the old home-
individual's social
role.
place to
an acknowledgement of changing needs,
but
as
the new is
also requires
they always
that other needs and patterns continue as
have.
Transformation of
the home-setting
6
will
if the
likely be most successful
independence, choice,
and
individual's sense of
not undermined by
integrity are
the new environment.
The major changes
they age
of the social role of a person as
retirement, reduction of
come about as a result of
Change of
familial responsibilites, or death of a spouse.
the social
require a change
role alone may well
impairment
setting, even without any physical
to the
imply a physical environ-
Such a change would
individual.
in the home
ment which enhances social interaction without jeopardizing
personal independnece or diminishing self-esteem through
institutionalization.
Retirement creates a great deal of leisure time which
may be filled with new avocations
that change the
With increased
relationship to the home.
individual's
time
comes the need for spatial diversity as well as social
diversity.
The home environment, both the
space and surrounding
experiences
locale, must be
for an individual's
rich with potential
increased inhabitation
Retirement may also radically effect the
capability of
to relocate
immediate private
time.
financial
a person to maintain the home-environment,
in one with comensurate amenities.
frequently, home-changes which come
Most
about as a result of
economic hardship require a move to a place of diminished
size and personal amenities.
Such an experience
potentially detrimental to maintaining
image.
is
a healthy self-
The new environment must therefore
be able to
or
7
for any compromise by offering other spatial or
compensate
social enhancements.
social
familial responsibilities effects the
reduction of
The
role of an elderly person and the physical
requirements of
the home.
With child rearing done,
for a space capable of accommodating a family is
and
the ability or desire of the
a place is questionable.
the need
reduced,
individual to maintain such
If family members relocate to
distant places, social contact is diminished and a void
created.
Entertainment which centerd on family and was
conducted
in
of
The place
the home-place may become altered.
social interaction with family may move out of
parent-home, not only altering
the
the physical environment of
social gathering, but diminishing the parent's social
in
its
organization.
The
loss of spouse is perhaps the most significant
the changes
to the
home environment.
social role
The
greatly reduced by loss
individual's
in terms of
ability to manage the home-place
of spouse.
of
its affect on the
is
This loss affects an
social relationship to the community, poten-
tially reducing the number of social contacts.
the home
security
in
spouse.
The loss
in order to fill
of home
role
is also jeopardized by the
Personal
loss of
of a spouse may require a new home-place
social needs, even if the physical setting
is negotiable by the
individual.
8
The decision to change the home environment may come of
in mobility or sensory capability.
reductions
sight, loss
Dimunition of
of hearing, reduced sense of balance, loss of
stamina, hypersensitivety to glare, and variations
in
microclimate all critically affect the ability of an
indivi-
The
dual to comprehend and negotiate the environment.
ina-
bility to cope with environmental barriers or ambiguities
create
stress
and anxiety.
reaction to stressful
The
is often avioded by means of
encounters with the environment
withdrawal.
is clearly a need to simplify certain aspects of
There
the physical environment in order to create less
confrontations with
stressful
it by a physically impaired elderly per-
The circulation systems of a building should minimize
son.
direction changes
in both vertical and horizontal directions.
Legibility of path and place
critical
is
individual's physical orientation
Recognition of
places
the need to pause
to pause -
to establishing an
in the environment.
should be acknowledged with
interesting places which could have
diverting spatial and social qualities.
The dimunition of sight and hearing make the need for a
small-scale
important than a large-scale
legible world more
disorienting one.
For example,
hensible with a few near-voices
about.
Similarly, long vistas
pleasant as a
detailed,
conversation
than many voices scattered
in full sun might not be as
finely detailed near-view.
spatially lucid and
is more compre-
It seams
a richly
topographically simple home-
9
is called for.
place
loss of mobility not only implies
The
short travel
distances to various utilities and amenities
but
for a rich social life which is readily
the need
With the ability to visit greatly reduced,
accessible.
to encounter friends
opportunities
need to be increased.
hand
in the home,
and neighbors close at
The liability of
a conventional
home environment to a person of reduced mobility
implication of this
The
isolation.
is social
in terms of design
is to
increase the number of semi-private and semi-public spaces,
places of
realms.
interaction in between the public and the private
These places must offer
rather than complusory
whether or not
neighborly opportunities
interaction.
to socialize
Freedom to choose
is a measuse of
independence and
The in-between opportunities for socialization
self-esteem.
need to exist as alternatives within a system of
conven-
tional public/private spatial definitions.
Physical impairment
reduced
in
states of general healthfulness as well as diminshed
capibility.
is spent at
has
of the elderly is reflected
A
larger portion of an elderly individual's time
rest
in bed
two implications
bedroom environment
in
than a younger person's.
terms of planning.
One
This fact
is that
the
be made sufficiently diverse such that
prolonged periods of time spent within are not
psychologically dibilitating.
affects
there
social
interaction.
is a need to retreat
The
second implication
Among elderly
(among anyone)
to a very private place when ill.
10
Thus the bedroom and
personal
space
if
adjacent
and
organized
carefully
and
it
when
is
its relationship
to
in-between
insure
of the
to other parts
space must be
from public places
isolation
required.
and Choice
Independence
will
Any domestic environment of elderly co-dwellers
bring together people of very different
of necessity
backgrounds and interests.
The community consists of
members who share similar social and/or physical needs which
are met
by means of social interaction with
benevolent physical setting.
individual
Though community members
they rarely share common histories.
common needs,
brings to the community unique
in a
their peers
share
Each
living patterns.
The built environment must recognize the need for community
interaction without sacrificing
as
the
individual's right
to be
independent and self-sufficient as he or she might choose
to be.
The home-place of an elderly community has a range of
spaces which accommodate varying degrees of social
The population of
interaction.
vary
little as a dozen people
from as
hundred and
an elderly community may
fifty.
to an many as two
Regardless of population, there
is
always a need to have private personal space and community
(private and
public space.
The way the two basic spaces
public) relate
together creates or denies opportunities
for
11
social
interaction and personal
Within the community certain
some people more than others.
public
interactions
tions.
The
This means that among all
there are smaller, semi-public
there
integrity of
The
the
in-between
the semi-public space
in-between space
The
interaction.
for selective social
not of necessity by the
social order for
is a different place, an
if
insured
is
alternatively accessible from either
realms.
interac-
is a need to create part of
dwelling environment which
place, suitable
interact with
individuals will
implication of this semi-public
is that
designers
and choice.
independence
it
is
the public or private
is experienced by choice, and
individual during his or her daily
routine.
individual's living
Among the
in any community there
may be special social relationships
between two or three
common bonds.
people which come of particularly meaningful
This
relationship may be characterized as semi-private.
semi-private
realm is more of
integrity
of
is
is a type of
it
dwelling than
an extension of
community space.
insured through spatial
accessibility.
The semi-private
The
the private
It's
legibility and patterns
realm is experienced
through choice and not by necessity.
The
issue of securing the right of choice and personal
independence
whether
is
critical in any shared dwelling habitat,
it be a single-family residence or a hotel, because
it supports an
individual's self-esteem and
bond among the different places people
creates a common
identify as home.
12
The
difference
though all
dormitory,
the
between a prison or hospital and a hotel or
are
in principle dwelling places,
is
independence of the dweller occupying the former
lack of
and the ability of the dweller to move freely through a
range of social/physical settings
right to choose and independently control
The
part
of
in the latter.
the home environment
management
and
is
in part an
all or
issue of
in part a function of the physical setting.
The physical setting alone cannot secure independence and
it can deny them by not creating opportunities.
choice, but
For example,
in the traditional single family residence a
parent might permit a child to rearrange or
his
or her room, but
more
if
add furniture to
the room is too small to accommodate
that a bed and dresser, and permits them to be located
on only one of the
room's
four walls due
to the patterns of
circulation and dimensional organization, no choice really
exists.
Clearly the parent
the child
(management) may choose to deny
a measure of independence,
physical setting
is of
in which case the
no consequence,
but
if the parent
the child to plan independently the physical
does permit
environment then has
the potential to offer
fulfillment of
personal expression or not.
Central
concept of
live
terms
to the
idea and
image of home-place
independence and choice.
is the
Throughout our lives we
in places which we can to some degree manipulate
of use or
individuality.
appearance in order to express
in
our
The elderly community living in a home-place
13
are socially and emotionally supported by environments that
guarantee
choice because such places
with past home-places.
to make
the dwelling an
To deny choice and
independence is
institutional place.
and Privacy
Community
individuals
The array of
create associations
living in an elderly domestic
community engage in certain general patterns of
living which
may be ordered in terms of the degree of privacy or
community each requires.
A great deal of
living patterns of
done as to the
relationship to the public,
research has
been
the elderly and their
semi-public, semi-private, and
private places of the built environment.
important public space
The most
environment
is the pathway.
in a dwelling
The public path is
the
circulation system of the environment, not unlike the blood
vessels
of the body, which vary in size according to the
needs of the
tissue and organs they serve.
public path varies
space
in scale and direction with
The public path
it relates to.
So too the
the spaces
links private personal
to the community at large through a series of
The
between places.
semi-private
in-between places are semi-public and
transitional spaces which create opportunity for
diverse social
The most
in-
interaction and sensory experience.
important private space
The community is
is personal place.
composed of a series of personal places,
14
in-between places
activities
degree
of the personal place are diverse and
made between the semi-private parts of
the semi-private
the
in-between in
needed to
in
range
Connections may be
the personal place
in-between and the public path.
Two linkages are therefore possible because of
of
The
arrayed along the public path.
from very private to semi-private.
and both
by
which are related to each other
ultimate privacies,
the presence
addition to the public path, and
are
insure independence and choice.
The activities of the personal place
include leisure,
food preparation, eating, sleeping, dressing, and personal
hygiene.
Leisure activities
vary widely, but usually
include entertaining, watching T.V.,
reading, watching others,
most
private of functions
bathroom use.
letter-writing, and so forth.
personal environment
leisure activities,
are also characteristics of the
interface with those realms.
and may be used to spatially
Thus the dining table
can become the dining table for four within
the communal dining
the public realm.
food
The more public activities of the
in-between and public realms
in-between and
The
involve sleeping, dressing, and
More public are
preparation, and dining.
sewing and crafts,
The unit
for two
the semi-private
table for eight within
kitchen for
individual meal
preparation may become the roommate shared kitchen for
larger meals in
the semi-private realm, may become the large
15
eat-in kitchen
for a handful of residents and/or guests
in
the semi-public realm.
The activities
of the public spaces may differ
in usuage
from the private realm depending upon the difference
physical scale of
is
large, public
two realms.
If
the private dwelling space
leisure activities
like card-playing and
club-meetings could conceivably occur within
this
is not
in
it.
Most often
the case, and such activities, along with tenent
meetings, dances, billards, and beano games take place
solely
in the public realm.
The
in-between spaces might
also accommodate smaller scale versions of
A card game
for four might as
dining table as
these functions.
easily occur at a semi-public
in a more public space, and in fact the
opportunity to do so would represent
a meaningful
social
the part of residents as well as creating
choice on
associations with times past when the dining room or kitchen
table might have served a dweller
in a similiar fashion.
Utilitarian activities also involve public space usage.
The collection of mail, or the act of laundering clothes
take place more
activities
dents.
in the public realm than the private.
These
imply social contact among all community resi-
Everyone receives mail and does
The nature
laundry.
of the public space's physical definition can either
encourage or prohibit social
collection and
The
interaction by
laundering to place spaces
increased amount of
leisure
relating mail
or path
spaces.
time and the general
lack of physical mobility indicate that
elderly
individuals
16
spend a great
deal more time within the home-place than do
younger people.
requires
This
increased exposure to the home
it be experientially diverse.
potential settings
Diversity of
for homelike activity is
requirement of the community dwelling.
thus a
Further, the varied
background and living patterns of the elderly living
common domestic environment
in a
suggest a more elaborate system
of public/private spatial relationships than is
typical in
more traditional housing.
Order and Diversity
There
is obviously a need
for a wide
community dwelling environments
specific nature
for the elderly.
without being mindless
or dull.
to be clear and
richness through
The
simple
With diversity
individual expressiveness.
organization of the environment must
what
in
With order comes legibility
an understanding of one's environment.
comes
spaces
of the space and the ordering principles
which relate them together need
and
range of
The
clearly communicate
is public, private, and in-between as well as allow for
some variation to each territory
in order
that changing needs
be fulfilled and place personalization is not
The
upon the
inhibited.
spatial needs of the elderly vary widely depending
background, sex, and health of
elderly may bring with them
furnishings
from the
(or wish
to)
the
individual.
Some
a great deal of
former home place, others may come from
17
institutional
belongings.
settings with little or no personal
Elderly women in general require
(and desire) a
more elaborately furnished personal environment
than men.
Finally, the changing physical capabilities of the elderly
dictate different
home environments over time.
disability acquired after the
a smaller,
A physical
initial settlement may require
simpler home-place with greater connectedness to
social supports
than required at first
inhabitation.
The social setting which each individual wants/needs
vary as widely as
spatial requirements.
personality may require a great deal of
from public
interaction whereas
The introverted
freedom to be apart
the extravert may want to be
well connected to the community's public network of
experiences and space.
do social ones.
As physical requirements change,
A grieving widower may appear
introverted member of
be an
so
initially to
the community, but with time
develope more extraverted characteristics.
The private physical setting required may vary over time
and require adaptation to new needs.
private space therefore must
what
The ordering of
clearly distinguish
the
if from
is public, and simultaneously allow for and give
clues about change.
spatially, or
semi-private
If a private space needs to expand
increase
its interactive relationship with the
and semi-public places,
so and method by which the change is
the opportunity to do
to come about should be
clear.
The public setting
is of a more permanent nature and
18
larger scale
than the private realm, and should assume
spatial definitions which make its
the private
are
the
by means
spaces are the most variable,
least,
of
and as with usage
the public
issues, the
related
in-between, or semi-public, semi-private
realms,
semi-public leisure space might have
leisure space, but be made of
materials of
spaces
two are
having some of the spatial characteristics of both.
private
If
territory legible.
the public realm.
Thus a
the smaller scale of a
the more permanent
The semi-private
leisure
space may be made of materials similar to the private
realm, but have a more public scale,
or accommodate shared
amenities.
The ordering of the domestic community spaces
repetative elements establishes
individual's home-place
the relatedness of
into
the
to the community home place.
incorporation of environmental diversity within
The
the ordering
system establishes the distinctiveness of community members.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE CAPTAIN CLARENCE ELDRIDGE HOUSE,
HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS
General
The Eldridge house
attempt
Description
is a relatively recent
(1981)
to give architectural expression to the social
concepts of
congregate
living.
The project is
the work of
architects Barry Korobkin and Eric Jahan, and sociologist
19
John Zeisel.
background
Those who have studied it,
regardless of their
(architectural or social) universally credit
it
with being an extremely sensitive and humane design effort.
Those who live there, and work there,
and proud of
their home.
The Eldridge house
short walk
is sited
from the town's main
11,000 square
feet
18 dwelling units
(see p.
seem delighted:, with
in
suburban Hyannis, a
street.
The house
in area and accommodates
20 residents
in
as well as a part time administrator
20-21).
The dwellings units, which represent
are
is about
quite small
(275 square feet)
and contain a sleeping/
leisure space, half-bathroom, closet,
unit kitchen, and
small dining
table.
The dwelling units
of the
area of
the building, the
floor
the private realm,
account for about 50%
rest being taken up
in public path and shared places.
The minimal nature of the private realm required that
public
leisure spaces exist as extensions of the private
realm.
Some of
these spaces are parlor-like, others
needs for large-group dining and social gatherings.
is also an eat-in kitchen, at
residence and detailed
facilities are
The plan
connects
the scale of
in like manner.
a single
There
family
Bathing and showering
shared in addition to a common laundry.
is organized around a tall
central space which
the upper floor of private dwellings with the
dwellings and public space of the floor below.
central
fulfill
space
floods
the building core with
light
The
tall
from
20
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
GROUND
FLOOR PLAN
1. 2 BEDROOM DWELLING
2.
3.
4. 1 BEDROOM DWELLINGS
5.
6.
7. ENTRY
8. LAUNDRY
9.
SHOWER
10. ELEVATOR
11. WAITING
12. STAIR
13. FOYER
14. PUBLIC TOI LET
15. TUB ROOM
16. MANAGER
17. EXIT
18: PARLOR
19. PARLOR
20. DININGROOM
21. PORCH
22. KITCHEN
23. VESTIBULE
24.WAITING ROOM
25. ENTRY
21
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
1. 2 BEDROOM
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
1 BEDROOM
DWELLING
DWELLINGS
SHOWER
ELEVATOR
1 BEDROOM
KITCHEN
1 BEDROOM
SHOWER
TUB ROOM
DWELLINGS
DWELLING
22
operable roof skylights.
The central core of the building
accommodates a stairway and an elevator as well
bathrooms and
laundry.
the house are at the scale of a single
The spaces of
family residence.
the
With the exception of
approximately, and most measure
creates an extremely
large central
15 feet x 15 feet
dining room, no space exceeds
This
as shared
feet or
12 x 12
less.
intimate ambience with strong
home-place associations.
The detailing of the house further reinforces
residential feel of the place.
The flooring, doors, and
trimwork are all wood, which enriches
and contrasts
light-reflecting white plaster walls.
basically
the
the
Eldridge House
an addition (8,500 square feet)
is
of new
construction to an existing Victorian residence, whose
fireplace and china closet still act as minor focal points
The
to shared spaces.
House mimics
long,
low front porch of Eldridge
the vernacular detailing of other Hyannis
houses, and further
intensifies home-like associations.
INDEPENDENCE AND CHOICE
The
issue of
resolved at
independence and choice
the Eldridge House
public pathway system and
private space.
is effectively
through careful design of the
its points of access to public and
The careful deployment of a
range of shared
amenities and utility spaces, a repetition and transformation of private space living patterns in
the public realm
23
all
support
independent decision-making.
The public pathway
(see p.
linear circulation spines
atrium space.
movement,
24-25)
is organized as
on either side of
The atrium accommodates
an elevator and a open stair.
six downstairs units
two
the central
two means of vertical
One of the
path-spines
links
other joins
the shared public spaces together.
linear
together, while the
The spines
join together at either end of the house and connect with
At the floor above,
the outside.
Seven of
to the
only one path-spine repeats.
the second floor's dwellings are directly connected
spine,
the remaining five are joined with it by per-
pendicular pathway spurs.
The effect of this seemingly extravangant
is
path network
to provide two means of access from any dwelling to the
shared spaces
or to the outside
possible for a resident
parlors
(see p.
to by-pass
the
26-27).
It is
shared kitchen or
for example, or to walk close-by on the way home to
the private
dwelling.
The opportunity for social
inter-
action is present, but the choice to encounter or avoid
is
left
to the
it
individual.
The points of access to
the public and private spaces
of Eldridge House are designed in order to create
independent expression and
to make social
interaction optional rather than compulsory.
The entrances
opportunities for
to private units from the public pathway widens to form a
24
ELDRIDGE
HOUSE
In -between
space
.
PRIVATE
PRIVATE
PRIVATE
.PRIVAT E
SHAF ED
PRIVATE
PRIVATE
I
PRIVATE
PRIVATE
SHARED
-- Path B
K-K-
Path C
FIRST FLOOR PATH SYSTEM
Pat
GROUND
FLOOR PATH SYSTEM
Order- through repetition of formal and use patterns.
Diversity - through Variation of the theme.
Independence & Choice - through provision of multiple paths & redundant
settings for activity routines.
Privacy is supported by in-between buffer space at public/private boundaries.
25
ELDRIDGE
HOUSE
Multiple path systems are necessa ry
wherever shared community spac e
and individual private space
co-exist in order to provide the
dweller with a range of choices.
Path A
As the amount of community space
decreases relative to the
individual's space the need for
multiple paths diminishes. 7
----------------
-----------
7/n
26
dwelling
Most public path to the outer world...
z
I PATH CHOICES
interactive% *
. . ..v -------
I
----I
i
Leisure
edge
-- --...................
Meal
Preparation
Dining]
1
Private
-
Bath &
Dressing
interactive
edge'
2)
dwelling
Semi- Private
Semi-Public
Pubi c
Most private path to outer world...
dwelling
IC6()
PLACE
CHOICES
T
Pa..th.to.shared.ut.....ility
Path to shared utility spaces
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
PATH & PLACE DIVERSITY
Public place extension
dwelling place
I
PATH AND PLACE RELATIONSHIPS
WON
27
ELDRIDGE
HOUSE
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
'Thematic scale,
access form , and
exterior edge.
SA
2
T
4---
--- --t
ErZZZILI
.j
THE
C
ORDERING
of
|1-
PUBLIC PLACEPATH, and ACCESS
scale, access,
and edge variation
1~
1~~~~~~~------D
I
I
I
I
1~~---------------7
I
I
I
.1
-- >
Thematic scale,
access form, and
exterior edge.
I
-~
E
I
II
I
I
I
I
28
semi-public alcove
(see p.
29-30).
The dwelling unit
entered via a wooden dutch door which allows
opening
closed.
the doorway
to be totally open, partially open, or completely
Adjacent to the dutch door
is a wood-trimmed double
The window allows visual and voice contact
hung window.
between the private kitchen/eating space and
The semi-public threshold space
provides
is
space for small
the public way.
is about 3 feet deep and
The side to
seating arrangements.
side arrangement of entries widens this
threshold to about
thirteen feet
and defines a neighborly space,
two privacies
share adjacent
a space which
to the public way.
to manipulate dutch doors or double hung windows
The choice
is
left to
The entrances to the shared public spaces
the residents.
from the public away obviously have no semi-private
three of the spaces
threshold, but
(parlor, waiting, and
eat-in kitchen) do have screen like definitions adjacent to
the paths, which makes visual or audial previewing possible
in order to
reduce the tension which sometimes accompanies
walking blindly
into an unexpected social setting
(see lower
fig., p. 29).
The thoughtful replication and tranformation of private
space functions
wide
and
range of
in the shared space network allows for a
choice concerning
leisure activities.
for preparing
food preparation, dining,
Each unit has
its own facilities
small meals, but residents also have access to
a larger communal kitchen as an alternative place to cook
29
C!-
0
An example of a place between the public path and private
dwelling defined by columns and low walls. L
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
This public parlor is accessible from
the path through a screen like
enclosure which is of the same
formal vocabulary as that of the
private space although less dense.
PRIVATE
PUBLIC-
PRIVATE
D
30
The background private space is differentidted from the foreground
public space by increasing the density of the private enclosure .A
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
Where no enclosure definition
exists the path and place overlap.
Diversion of the path decreases
the integrity of the place. t
Ij
0-
1,
B
31
and
dine
(see p.
27).
another dining option.
A very large dining room offers
Similarly,
the leisure activities of
reading, watching T.V. or entertaining may occur
personal private
two parlors.
resides
space, but may also occur in either of
The success of
the
the shared leisure spaces
in their scale and detail as well as their number
and location.
of
in the
They replicate the dimensions and furnishings
and by doing so make
typical single family residences
strong home-place associations not
accomplished in
institutional settings.
COMMUNITY and PRIVACY
The Eldridge House was
conceived as a congregate
environment for elderly people and
living
its spatial organization
in terms of community and privacy reflects
the social
organization of place.
According to the First National Conference of
Congregate Housing for Older People, congregate housing by
definition
is
"an assisted independent group living
environment that offers the elderly who are
impaired or socially deprived, but otherwise
the
residential accommodations
functionally
in good health,
and supporting services they
need to maintain or return to a semi-independent lifestyle
and prevent premature or unnecessary
institutionalization, as
they grow older."
The organization and
community space at
the Eldridge House
form of
shared
is closely related to
32
the spatial and use organization of the private realm in
order that
the community space may become an extension of
the private realm, rather than a counterpoint
The private realm consists of
accommodate all
(see p.
33).
to it.
dwelling units which can
resident uses except bathing and
Thus
laundering
a completely independent living pattern
is not possible at Eldridge House.
Residents share tub and
shower rooms as well as a laundry.
Additional
contact
is likely along the public path, due to its
openness
of
and the intensified visual
dwellings entries
feet
to the public path.
by twelve (12)
feet,
spatial
and voice relationship
The smallness of
the private realm, of which the largest space
(10)
social
implies that
is about ten
long term
occupancy might be more uncomfortable than the occupancy of
public spaces part
of the time.
The public spaces of Eldridge House, with the exception
of the dining
room, are of house-room dimensions and are
defined/contained spatially by four enclosing walls (see
p.
27
).
The only open and spatially expansive space
is the
dining room/ atrium, which doubles as a meeting place.
small parlors work as a T.V. room and
function as spaces where larger groups
The eat
which
They also
can be entertained.
in kitchen is a particularly popular social space,
is used for coffee-drinking, card-playing, and
conversation.
has
a library.
Two
Even the small waiting room near the entry
a sitting room feel to it.
The type of furnishings and
their arrangement are similar to those of
the private units,
33
FORM & USE
VARIATION -
ELDRIDGE HOUSE
FIRST FLOOR
ORDER & DIVERSITY of
PLAN
PRIVATE DWELLINGS
FORM
VARIATION
PUBLIC PLAN CONFIGURATIONS
L.........
--
)O
-
The dwelling use-pattern
-I
-
-~----1
C
--
4-----------------------
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
34
which further
private.
intensifies
There
the
linkage between public and
is also an open arrangement of
furniture and
a piano under the skylight which serves as a resting place
near the elevator.
The tub and shower rooms are accessible
from the more private path spine while the
laundry is open to
the public path spine.
The
less
in-between shared space at Eldridge House
is much
successful than the public and private realms.
shared
"front porches" at each dwelling unit entry form
neighborly spaces of twos and threes.
spaces
shared by all residents,
space,
the
in-between spaces
Unlike the community
and unlike private dwelling
are not as contained, and do not
in most case have square or near-square plan forms.
have no
not
The
windows to allow views out or
light
in,
screened from the path system in order that
spatial
integrity apart
They
and are
they have
from circulation patterns.
These
in-between spaces do work as entry thresholds which are
for the display of personal
suitable
items -
and
in
fact
plants, pottery, glassware, and bookcases have moved out of
the private
dwellings and
some merit however,
locations
parlors
into these spaces.
There might
to more elaborate shared space at these
in order to diminish the distance between shared
and some of the more distant dwelling units.
The concept of clustering community spaces
accepted as a means
first
is generally
to increase social interaction.
linear organization of
the
be
The
the Eldridge House community spaces on
floor supports this concept.
No community spaces,
35
other than shared
tub and shower rooms, occur on the upper
level.
The open core atrium spatially links the
levels,
but this vertical linkage
two
is more a result of the
need to bring
in natural light than to promote social
interaction.
For example, the two parlors are not open to
the
atrium, and neither
is the kitchen, which renders the
open wells
at the second floor useless
previewing
by the upper level residents of
community spaces.
open well
is
terms of social
the lower level
but delightful aspect
the acoustic openness
piano is played music.
One minor
in
the entire core
of the
it provides when the
is sometimes
filled with
In general, community spaces at Eldridge House tend
to encourage movement from the scattered dwellings
street-oriented first floor public rooms
residents
to the
as a means
by which
(and the resident administrator) can interact.
ORDER AND DIVERSITY
The environment created at Eldridge House
simultaneously legible and rich.
Its
clarity derives from
the repetition of details and dimensions
building, while
access,
that
throughout the
uniqueness comes of varying patterns of
spatial enclosure,
treatment
somewhat
its
is
of natural
like a block
individual dwelling plan,
lighting.
and
The overall effect is
in Boston's Back Bay or Beacon Hill
in
a wide range of distinct privacies exist independently
within a larger community infrastructure.
The house
is
like
36
a city.
The dwelling unit entires
are the most common
repetative element at Eldridge House.
Though there
is
occasional variation, all entries are recessed from the
Each has a
public path and are at a right angle to it.
wooden dutch door and double hung window paired with a
neighbor's.
Of
identical, the
the eighteen dwellings, fourteen entries are
remaining four employ the same details but
vary the entrance plan form.
Each public space entry is unique, and in being so
clearly communicates what
the public path.
space
is public and what
The differences
is private from
in entries into public
include the elimination of doors and double-hung
windows, and the enlargement of opening widths.
entries are at right angles to the public way,
all are
and almost
constructed to create a spatial definition between
public place and path.
used on
Almost all
Similar materials and detailing are
all entries, whether public or private.
of changes
The effect
in dimension and degree of openness distinguish
public place
from private
(diversity) while similar detailing
and directionality relate public to private
(order).
While the spatial enclosure of each private dwelling
unit repeats
throughout Eldridge House,
the amount and
nature of enclosure varies a great deal in
All dwelling units
are related
to the
the public realm.
internal public path
by dutch doors and double hung windows adjacent to the
dining/kitchen privacy.
The remainder of the apartment
37
consists of
has views
in all
a bedroom, bathroom, and closet.
outside and
single
is accessed directly from the kitchen
room units
closets are windowless
bedroom.
Private
definitions along
form
the voids
The bedroom
(a total of sixteen).
The bath and
rooms accessible directly from the
baths and closets form the
solid spatial
the public way, and kitchen/dining areas
(see p.
33).
Spatial enclosure and definition varies greatly at the
public realm
one
(see p.
27).
Each parlor has
is rectangular while the other
a bay window, but
One
is a half-octagon.
bay opens directly to the outdoors while the other opens to a
small porch.
One parlor
is entered through an open screen-
like enclosure of columns and low-walls while the other is
entered
One relates openly to the
through a single door.
public path at the laundry, while the other
introverted.
placement,
it
The dining area
is
is very
is defined solely by furniture
no "room" at all, but rather
a territory
It is
between the public path and the abutting front porch.
a very extroverted space, made so because of the
ceiling glass wall defining its
porch, and
floor to
boundary with the front
its openness to the public path, where no spatial
or physical boundary distinctions exist
(see p.
30).
The
eat-in kitchen actually mimics the door and window details
of private entries, making a counterpoint
other public spaces.
in relationship
to
The kitchen also opens onto the front
porch in a similar manner to
kitchen sills are higher.
the dining room, although the
Finally, the waiting
room has a
38
screen-like relation to the public way similar to that of
one of the parlors, and though
outside involves much glass
its relationship
for visibility,
to the
it has
no bay
window or porch.
The repetition of private
variation
in unit plan form (see p.
organized in a heirarchical way,
33).
All units
however, a great deal of plan form variation.
bath.
There
Of
an individual entry.
adapted into the shell of
remaining twelve
Of the remaining
because
the old house.
Of
the
two have different bedroom/bath
orientations because they are at
the building's corner.
Of
ten two have tiny unit kitchens tucked into
the remaining
front-facing roof dormers.
The remaining eight units are
The diversity of
identical.
the
two share a common kitchen
fourteen two have radically different plan forms
they were
is
two are two bedroom units and have a full
Of the remaining sixteen,
though each has
are
from the publicness of
kitchen to the privacy of dressing and toilet.
eighteen units,
the
dwelling entries belies
form within the planning
heirarchy provides a sense of equality and
individuality
among residents.
The treatment of natural
lighting further
intensifies
the distinction of public and private space through order
and diversity.
Private dwellings all receive light through
individual windows flush with the exterior walls
uniform sill
of glass,
height.
and of
The use of skylights, horizontal bands
low sills, and bay windows are strictly reserved
39
for the public places.
There
is a strong and consistent
association with high natural
light levels and panoramic
views with
The private realm is darker
the public realm,
and visually restricted.
The ordering of space at Eldridge House
is
through the
association of repetitive spatial elements and usage
heirarchies within the private
realm, and with variations
that ordering system in the public realm.
public spaces
to
The range of
are different enough to offer meaningful
place-choice without disassociating themselves entirely from
the scale, detail, and forms of
public
Thus a
the private realm.
space may have more windows than the dwelling, but
they will
be the same window types.
The access
to a public
room may echo the dimensions and openings of a paired,
recessed dwelling entry, but eliminate
door.
The effect
This quality gives
the window sash and
is one of relation through variation.
Eldridge House a great deal of
congruence and
legibility while filling
special places
for a variety of
spatial
it with numerous
living patterns.
Formal References
The Eldridge House
is clearly an excellent example of
shared residential space.
One example alone however
is not
40
sufficient to clearly understand the principles of what
living implies
community
for residential place-making.
Given another context the form of Eldridge House would
change though the principles of
doubtless
relating to community socialization might
precedents
not.
Other
contexts offer further insights
from different
nature of shared places of residence.
into the
the past, extended familes
In
its organization
which ordered
the built environment
required living places
in ways
Other places of
modern congregate housing.
similar to
community
interaction, although not permanent dwelling places, offer
further references for the organization of
terms of social
interaction.
territories
in
For example, the palazzi of
Italy during the middle ages were able to accommodate
numberous
communal activities
aristocratic clans.
in the home-place of
The country
able to provide settings
inns of Early America were
in which strangers and townspeople
socialize in a home-like, sheltered environment.
could
The
need for in-between spaces in the congregate
setting seems clear
social
if opportunities for a wide range of
interaction and/or physical change are to be
accommodated.
References for
in-between places are
not
unique to domestic environments however, they exist wherever
spatial transitions exist
between inside and outside, public
and private, or path and place.
41
The congregate
setting requires
heirarchial ordering of space
realm.
individual
a clearly legible
from the community to the
Throughout history many places have been
planned using heirarchial ordering, from dwellings to
worship places.
insights into ways of
Some offer important
distinguishing with space one realm from the other.
The problem of finding references
places
for communal
living
is not one solved by the seeking out of places with
identical living patterns.
It is more universal than that.
An understanding of the principles embodied at the Eldridge
House gives
of
clues as
to the spatial definition and ordering
a congregate environment.
from the past
elderly
indicate
That other
that congregate housing for the
in the modern context may be
congregate living in more general
principles
references exist
innovative,
but
that
terms is quite old and
its
regarding the built world were understood long
ago.
Independence and Choice
In order
measure
for
to provide any dweller with a reasonable
independence within the home-place,
of
a variety of spatial and social experiences
offered.
bypass,
The presence of opportunities
opportunities
should be
to engage
in,
or withdraw from a given physical/social setting may
be clearly represented
patterns of
in spatial terms.
The circulation
the path system, the methods by which access
42
points are defined and enclosed, and the scale and
interelationship of shared spaces may be conceived so as to
create
decision-making possiblities
for the dweller.
The palazzi of Renaissance Italy and the country
of
colonial America share,
in principle, the
dual patterns of circulation within
space
in order to create choices.
inns
idea of using
the realm of shared
Each of
these references
employs one primary and one secondary system of movement
between
individual rooms.
The
result
is that no single
is dependent solely on one path pattern for
space
accessibility and
individual
interelatedness
to other spaces.
in any given place may either move
An
into the
into a secondary path-place system
primary path system, or
depending upon a personal decision.
The Palazzo Massimi
(see p.
place dwelling patterns typical
43)
for
embodies the path and
its time and
The Renaissance palace was a place of
entertainment.
It served as
aristocratic families,
lavish display and
dwelling place
servants, guests,
a complex and rich social order
culture.
for
and kinsmen.
Thus
required a commensurate
organization of the home-place.
Of
the period's social setting, Talbot Hamlin wrote,
"For such a life as
suitable frame.
lord,
at
the
this,
these great palaces were the only
Into their capacious
courts rode
lord after
their torch-bearing outriders ahead, to dismount gaily
foot
of a wide
stair.
In the great
halls tables
piled with food and superb silver and gold and jeweled bowls
43
FORMAL
REFERENCE
PALAZZO
MASSIMI
Multiple path systems and multiple access
points to each space allow for independence
through choice of spatial experience.
MAJOR PATH
semi
private
semi private
PATH DIAGRAM
GROUND
- - . - -- -FLOOR,
- - - . - ii0PANO
NOBILE
44
and dishes...
pages...
lay open to the multitude of guests,
stepped busily back
decanters of wines....
evening breeze swept
and
forth
and
with pitchers
and
In the shadowed loggias, where the
in, or
in the upper arcades of
the
great court, were abundant spaces for those who sought
companionship
more
close,
hidden from the public
The Palazzo Massimi was organized at
throng."
the ground floor
by a major internal pathway which linked a major public way
at the
front entrance to a service-like public
rear.
This path consisted of
loggias,
floor with the
Along this path were access points,
doorways, into semi-public chambers.
The semi-public
chambers were connected by common access points
intimate, semi-private chambers.
not directly accessible
arrangement
of
this
the
vestibules, and
courtyards which spatially united the ground
piano nobile above.
street at
series
The semi-private realm was
from the major path.
of
to more
chambers
into
The
a
suite
created
a minor path system which permitted any place within the
domestic realm to be
reached by either of two means, via the
more public major path system, or through the more
chamber-by-chamber path.
intimate
It is particularly significant
that the palazzo offered two path systems of divergent scale
and
spatial qualities.
One was far more
introverted
than
the other.
The
country inns of colonial America
(see p.45-46),
though smaller and more simple than Italy's grand palazzi,
nevertheless were the setting
for rich communal socializing.
45
-.--
16 x 36
BALLROOM
PLAN A)
FLOOR
(SECOND
Threshold
Zone
Ln-jI-
*
=Focal
Point
Public
Path
Order is created through dimensional
repetition and consonant deployment
of focal points and accessways.
Choice is created by means of
redundant spatial usage and
multiple accessways.
FORMAL
REFERENCES
COLONIAL COUNTRY INNS
BALLROOM
SECTION (Plan A)
Territories within the open ballroom
which are dimensionally consistent
with the ground floor social spaces
were created through variation of
the ceiling plane commensurate
with the location of fireplace
focal points.
PLAN A
46
PLAN C
PLAN B
FORMAL
REFERENCES
I.'
PLAN
D-1
COLONI AL
COUNTRY
INNS
PLAN D-2
r
47
Marian D.
Terry has described
the country inn
"To the colonists of early days an
in this way:
inn was
far more
than a place which provided drink and relaxation;
it was the
Court meetings were held at
center of community life.
inns;
official information was distributed to them for
circulation, and bulletins
concerning important events were
Built close to the Meetinghouse, the
pinned on the door.
inn provided warmth and shelter between morning and
afternoon services for those coming from a distance.
Altogether,
the
commercial center;
information, his
In addition to
inn was the town's
social and
it was the colonist's source of
shopping-place, his newspaper and his
its local
provide accommodation
importance,
an
club.
inn in each town to
for
for travellers was essential
intercourse between the plantations and the conduct of
the
affairs of Government."
The circulation patterns of country inns were organized
in a manner which loosely corresponds
In most examples there
palazzi.
which connects
rooms in
to that of the
is a major path, a hall,
a number of rooms along
turn are connected to each other by small
vestibules or doorways remotely located
Thus
These
it's path.
from the major path.
it was possible to move from room to room without
travelling
along the main hall.
Further, many of
the rooms
were accessible directly from without, providing an
additional
accessway.
An essential characteristic of dwelling places which
48
have
a communal character
is a multiplicity of accessways
opportunity for choice,
and with choice comes
independence.
further benefit of a diversified path system is
A
the
With such path organization comes
and path systems.
environmental richness
it offers
in terms of
the
varied physical
and social settings.
The methods
important
has
by which access points are defined
implication regarding decision-making provisions
for the dweller.
The relationship between two spaces may be
clearly established by the form, scale, transparency, and
use
of
their common accessway.
Two ways of dealing with
are
accessways which provide a varying measure of choice
illustrated by an example of a traditional Japanese house
and the Heurtly residence by F.L. Wright
(p.49).
The Japanese house example utilizes pairs of sliding
panels which the dweller may adjust in various combinations
in order
space
to integrate or segregate,
from another.
which transmit light
The sliding screens are
the view and
thin membranes
in different ways, becoming more
transparent nearer the garden space
is accessibility
in varying degrees, one
in this
case.
affected by screen adjustment, but
lighting level;
and
Not only
so to
is
thereby the sense of
spatial enclosure.
The Heurtly house example illustrates
an accessway
definition between two shared spaces of approximately equal
communality.
A very thick screen of glass doors and glazed
display cabinets creates
a setting for choices of a
49
3
1&2
3
2&3
1&2&3
A Japanese House
The in-between space (2) is defined by two sliding screens ,one
translucent , the other transparent . The adjoining places may
extend toward and into each other by manipulating the
screens.
FORMAL REFERENCES
The in-between space is defined by a screen-like wall
framed glass doors and built-in glazed cabinets.
The
Heurtley
Residence
of
wood-
50
different nature.
The opening or
closing of
the glass doors
on either side of the display cabinet affects circulation
patterns,
and to a lesser extent the spatial enclosure by
making a denser screen when
glazed cabinets appear to be filigree-like
columns framing a
The positioning within
squarish void of display space.
these
The
in the closed position.
flowers, memorabilia,
display spaces of art objects,
or even further built screening will subtlely influence
view, enclosure, and quality of
The scale and use
exemplified by
46)
light
the
in each space.
interelationship of shared space as
the country
inns of colonial America
(p.
45 &
illustrate how place duality, like path duality,
to the creation of choice within the dwelling
contribute
The space of a typical inn was subdivided
environment.
four roughly equal compartments.
consistency when
created a very
identical
The dimensional
taken together with the pathway patterns
flexible or adaptable setting for various
Each space was
social exchanges.
the others,
into
dimensionally related to
had similar access points, and usually an
inwardly focused focal point
major differences
(the fireplace).
between these social spaces reside
their relation to utility spaces and, more
the outside world of light, breeze,
The
in
importantly, to
and view.
The
opportunity to choose the use of a particular space
utlimately resided with the innkeeper, who could create a
number of use variations-depending freely upon
plan A with D-1 for
need
(compare
example) rather than upon a particular
51
and unique spatial configuration.
adaptability of
Marian D.
An example of
the
the country inn's ballroom is described by
Terry:
in
"The construction of these rooms was accomplished
various ways,
and
in the early and simple form was not at
all difficult or expensive.
A partition between two bed-
rooms was provided with hinges and could be swung up and
suspended by hooks in the ceiling.
In the double room thus
arranged, guests could dance through the evening.
their departure,
After
the partition could be lowered, and furni-
ture replaced, and family or overnight guests put to bed."
By creating a series of spatially related territories
assembled along a major path which frequently had redundant
usages
(such as
measure of
the parlors shown on plans A and D-1) a
choice was
introduced regarding the utilization
of space and the variety of social
intercourse which could
occur therein.
Though
points
the
there is no example which illustrates all
discussed, it
path, place, and the
is conceivable
that
the ordering of
threshold could provide
rich in opportunities for
a home-place
independence through choice.
Community and Privacy
The congregate
home-place
intimately
communal realm and the personal realm.
relationship between the
shelters
both
The nature of
the
the
two realms transcends the dwelling
environment however because the juxtaposition of the
two
52
realms
is experienced in a multitude of other social,
Individuals constantly
educational, and spiritual settings.
interaction
pass between the realm of communal/collective
and
the experience
enhances
consideration
worthy of
of
the passage
setting which
Any
the realm of personal introspection.
from
to "I"
"we"
in formal terms as a reference
is
for a
congregate place.
The formal
for spaces having both public and
realms vary from spiritual places of monumental
private
scale,
references
such as Hagia Sophia, to modest dwellings like the
Trulli houses
is
or use,
of Italy.
Common to all,
regardless of scale
a spatial organization which clearly establishes
in formal terms
each of
the realms,
and with equal clarity
them together by carefully conceived transitional,
relates
in-between places.
The passage
varies
from the world without to the one within
greatly with the particular experience associated
with each setting.
creates an
It does
introverted places
the
(p.
53)
inner world of complete isolation, small, dark
and mysterious.
Without
The Temple of Medinet Habu
so by a
layering of
increasingly,
along a gradually ascending path.
layering of intermediate places and preparatory
in-between spaces,
the ultimate privacy would not
be
achieved.
The
thermal bath Teni-Kaplica
individual from the world outside
The high blank walls transport
(p.
54)
seems
to remove the
in only a partial way.
the individual
from ground
53
D-
TEMPLE of MEDINET
HABU
Egypt
B
Bc
AB
--
C-
A
'
--
-
-
-
-
Threshold dimension decreases
nearer the privacy.
L---J
Order is established through
repetition of the plan form.
Decreasing light & scale
Increasing intimacy.
Diversity is achieved by
varying scale and degree of
enclosure.
A = the inner place
B = the intermediate place
C = the outer place
BC & AB =in-between spaces which have characteristics of the two
adjoining places.
FORMAL REFERENCES
54
YENI KAPLICA
(thermal bath)
Bursa , Turkey
C
A = the inner place
B =the intermediate
place
C =the outer place
ab & bc = in-between
transitional space
The basic building block is
square in plan with a skylighted dome above which is
transformed into a diverse
range of spaces: doubling,
tripling, or halving them in
concert with scale changes.
The repetition of the building
block relates the spaces
The variation of
together
block assemblage gives each
space an individual
character.
bc
L
L
(
The building block
Threshold dimension decreases
nearer the inner world.
FORMAL REFERENCES
55
related activities:while the skylighted domes
and color
the
from a world above.
from the
individual
intermediate
in that
inner-world.
in light
isolate
the
transforms
The number of
spaces and
in-betweens are fewer than with
it
further contrasts the spiritual
Eygptian temple, and
place
This place does not
larger community, but
community within a related
bring
the
it culminates in an expansive place rather
than a constrictive place.
In a smilar way Hagia Sophia and SS. Serguis and
56)
transforms
Bacchus
(p.
special
inward one.
encompasses
the outer community
A thick belt of screen-like space
the central domed
reduced scale and light
space.
There
is a world of
in-between the openness without and
the skylighted world within.
is capable of becoming part of
alone as
into a
The screen-like space between
the space within, or standing
a unique and spatially legible place.
56
FORMAL
REFERENCES
C
- ---------
B
-
-
A
_s
DIAGRAM
I
77
The Anonymous Community (A)
(B)
The In Between Space
(C)
The Sharing Community
C
---
- - C-
The inner space of the sharing
community is separated from the
outer world by a screen-like
edge/threshold space.
-0
OOP
a
1
'I
A
HAGIA SOPHIA
Istanbul, Turkey
(---A
C
B
SECTION
/
ELEVATION
0
B
A
SS. Sergius and Bacchus_
Istanbul, Turkey
B
57
Thus the
two early Christian churches seem to offer an
alternative in-between spatial definition, one that
and capable of extending
adjoining
toward and
is
lucid
interacting with the
space.
The Trulli houses
of Italy
(p.
58)
are equally clear
in
defining public and private realms by means of varied
Nearer the
ceiling form, scale, and threshold dimensions.
public realm the thresholds thicken and the semi-public
Inward toward
is domed and tall.
space
the dome
Smallest of all, and with little or
dimensions narrow.
from the residential work of
other ways
in which
Wright
illustrate further
spaces
can be given form consistent with their
public/private
with
of
no
is the private realm.
Two examples
It
realm
though smaller, and threshold
form repeats,
threshold,
the private
relationships
(p.
in order
is clear that
it's own integrity
in-between
59).
to provide the private realm
(in relation to the public) a series
in-between places are necessary.
in-betweens will mitigate
two realms,
Frank Lloyd
The form of
these
the formal differences between the
thereby relating them together and establishing
their own in-between
identity.
Order and Diversity
The need for order and diversity within a dwelling
environment
and
surprise
in order to make
is clear.
it legible
Many examples
and rich
in mystery
exist of buildings
58
FORMAL
REFERENCES
TRULLI
C
HOUSES
C
C
B
C
A
/
Threshold dimensions decrease
nearer the privacy.
Access points
N
B
Si
Public
Public
Se0i Semi
Private
/
Private
Privat
Intermediate spaces
-
K
D
increase nearer
the public.
B&C are related by
common form but
distinguished by
differing scale
(dimunition nearer
the privacy).
Smaller domains have only one
intermediate space between
public & private.
59
FORMAL
REFERENCES
This vertically continuous
space joins public and private
realms. The space narrows
vertically and is defined
by a dense wood screen
nearer the private realm.
Two dwellings
by
Frank Lloyd Wright
Territories within this horizontally continuous space are defined
by varying vertical dimensions and ceiling planes.
60
which make ordered and exciting environments
ways with equal success.
of
in different
Each example relies upon repetition
some architectural or environmental element to establish
order
and employs scale, orientation, or spatial enclosure
variations
in order to provide diversity.
The country inns of colonial America
(p.
45-46)
employed dimensional repetition in order to relate
together
(such as parlors and dining rooms)
variation in order to create
of an upper
The
by the
special places
spaces
and dimensional
(such as those
level ballroom).
"House of the Faun" at Pompeii
(p.
61)
repetition an enclosed courtyard form.
about by modifying the scale,
is ordered
Variety comes
orientation, and column/screen
density of each courtyard.
The temple at Medinet Habu
chamber plan form six
(p 53)
repeats
the same
times, as well as maintaining a
consistently symmetrical path relationship to each chamber.
It's
diversity comes from varying the scale, the density of
screen-like columns,
and the quality of
light
in each
chamber.
What seems remarkable about each example
rather
simple forms a rich and divergent
environments was realized.
neccessarily
through their
of a place.
is that with
range of spatial
Inventive forms are
required in order
not
to create diversity, and may,
singularity, actually disrupt the
legibility
61
1B
B
D K
C
D)
(E 4-B
E
Dj
DIAGRAM
Palazzo Porto
1
C
1
Df
0
B
0 0
0
0 0 0 0
0
Bx
0
0
0
C
DIAGRAM
2
FORMAL
REFERENCES
0
D
0
00
00 0
D
C
/
Community & Privacy - private space is separated
from public space by intermediate threshold spaces.
-Independence
& Choice- there are two means of
access between the path and the private realm.
-Order & Diversity -place continuity through repetition
of enclosed courtyards, and variety through changes
Ni
n courtyard scale and method of enclosure.
~1
A
fjf~zTl
B
jic_<-----' I l
House of the Faun
Pompeii
C
W
0
E
0
SD
---4
DIA GRAM
3
62
A Design Proposal
Given
the social context of congregate dwelling places
and the programatic and formal
discussed, what
references previously
kind of place might one create
context radically different
in a physical
from those of the references?
This design proposal adopted loosely the use-program of
Eldridge House at Hyannis while applying it
urban context.
the
to a densely
Further, it attempts to distinguish
community decision-making from individual decision-making
terms of building form.
The intial proposal will illustrate
an inhabited congregate place (p.
with
82 -
diagrams (p.
in
p.
86)
71 -
p 81)
and
illustrate
its characteristics
in terms of
independence and choice, community and privacy, and order
and diversity.
environment;
The final proposal depicts
(p.
87 -
p.
88) one which illustrates what might be
community-derived decisions.
two proposals
a "pre-inhabited"
The purpose in illustrating
is to present a system of spatial organization
capable of change and adaptation over time.
reasonable to assume that
patterns
the
It
is
living patterns and management
(tenancy model) of a dwelling place will change,
for example, residential places often change from
single-family, or
owned.
It
from rental properties
to ones privately
is not uncommon for housing to change function,
to become a commercial or retail use-place.
use
Bay.
changes can all
be seen, for example,
The proposed design attempts
elderly congregate
These types of
in Boston's Back
to address
issues of
living while simultaneously considering
63
issues of change and adaptation.
The program of
capable of
individuals
this project called for a dwelling place
accommodating between twelve and
in an area between ten
thousand square feet.
toilet
thousand and twelve
Individual realms of about two
hundred and seventy-five square
facilities
twenty
feet each, containing some
of cooking and dining, were
rooms were also of necessity.
required.
Private
In addition to the
area requirements, variation in the spatial configuration of
(p.
the private dwelling commensurate with Eldridge House
were
required.
for
The community realm was to have spaces
conversation and other typical
leisure activities, dining
rooms, eat-in kitchen, bath/shower rooms,
outdoor leisure space.
33)
laundries,
and
There was also need of a small
administrative office.
The need for clearly definied in-between spaces,
the
internal
shared
at Eldridge
"front porches"
like
House were
also a requirement, but one which demanded more extensive
consideration of use than those uses given the fronts of
Eldridge.
Also as part of the
program was the need for some
built-in furnishings, particularly of a display nature.
Many residents
lose
this sort of
furniture prior to entering
an elderly congregate setting, and
reasonable notion
therefore it seems a
to respond to that
substitute furnishings.
need by offering
Finally, some provision for
possibility of minor dwelling
the
changes from one bedroom to
two bedroom, or from shared congregate space
to privately
64
owned space
independent of the community setting was to be
considered.
The
site chosen for the exporation
Commonwealth Avenue
is number 161
in Boston's Back Bay
(p.
65-67).
A
long
narrow site, thirty-four feet wide and one-hundred twentyfour
the
feet deep, with a twenty-four setback requirement at
front.
The
lot
is bounded on the south by
the park-like
boulevard of Commonwealth Avenue and on the north by a public
alley.
the
To the west
is a typical Back Bay townhouse and to
east the historically significant Ames-Webster Mansion.
The
site offers a number of opportunities
environment rich in diversity of access,
activity.
to create an
views, and
The southern views over Commonwealth Avenue
provide a focus for the neighborhood's routine.
also provides an easily accessible, safe,
detailed landscape
northward
for strolling.
The avenue
and richly
The adjoining lot
is under-developed, accommodating a single
building which affords a view from the site of
south facades of Marlborough Street.
multi-roofed Ames Mansion.
the sunny
To the east is
The mansion does not
entire Commonwealth frontage from front
level
to back,
the
fill its
thereby
affording an open court-like space from the public alley
forward about seventy feet adjacent
to the eastern boundary
of the project site, providing the site with
light,
additional
air, and roofscape views over the old mansion.
The
architectural context of the neighborhood
is that
of elaborately designed stone and brick townhouses built
65
COMMONWEALTH
THE
AVENUE
VICINITY DETAIL
CONTEXT
D =COMMERCIAL
A = PLAYGROUND
VICINITY PLAN
E=ART
U
B CHURCH
C LIBRARY, SUBWAY
CHARLES
K2
~jj
8
SHOPP G
FPUBLIC
VE
STRE
SUBWAY
RIVER
A
EEq TAiiI~
AVE
CENTER,
MUSEUM
GARDEN4-
B
1117
7
BOSTC N'S
BACK BAY
66
N
/7 View north from the site across the public alley to block beyond.
the site
THE CONTEXT
BOSTON'S BACK BAY
The site as seen from
Commonwealth Avenue.
67
THE CONTEXT
BOSTON'S BACK BAY
ADJACENT BUILDING WEST
<1165
Commonwealth Avenue
1 63 Commonwealth Avenue
>
ADJACENT
BUILDING EAST
Ames-Webster
Mansion
68
over one hundred years ago.
places
These houses were the dwelling
of propersous merchants and businessmen who lived in
them with family and servants during the colder seasons.
They had little or no outside space and were organized as
largely private domains, although social
interaction in the
form of entertainment did take place within the home-place,
they were for
dwellings.
buildings
the most part introverted single-family
The formal organization of
the facades of
is extremely consistent throughout
the neighbor-
hood, making for a very legible urban environment.
facade varies
in detail, but adheres
these
Each
to basic principles of
accessibility formal expressiveness, and use of materials.
The proposal addressed contextual issues from the standpoint
of
trying
in order
with an
to match existing conditions
as much as possible
to create an image of place which is compatible
image of the tradition city home.
In order to clearly explain the proposed design
as they relate to
independence and choice,
privacy, and order
developed
(p.
82 -
ideas
community and
and diversity, a series of diagrams were
86).
The value of the diagrams
(as
opposed to representational plans) lies in their power to
convey planning principles clearly, divorced from the
particulars of
be
formal detail.
Architectural
principles may
represented in the built world in a multitude of ways.
In evaluating an architectural principle through the study
of
something built,
the method by which
it is necessary to distill the
it was
implemented.
The formal
idea from
69
references which have been used to
issues
in this
architectural
principles.
illustrate pertinent
analysis are splendid examples of successful
implementation of time-proven planning
Other work that was planned using the
identical
principles may be less successful architecturally and
therefore
less cogent in representing
the design
ideas they
attempt to embody.
The architectural principles which are depicted in
diagram may be compared to the proposed design in order to
evaluate how succesfully the design gives form to the
principle.
The process of developing a diagram and
testing
it with representational drawings/models is the basis of an
iterative process through which both diagram and
representation evolve
into progressively more clear and valid
The process of evaluation by means of a
principles.
dialogue among the planning community
authority, builders, lenders,
by
(dwellers, housing
and designers) is
the clarity and explicitness of
facilitated
the comparison of
idea
and its physical representation.
thesis represents the first stage of an
This
process which would serve as
individuals of divergent
the focus of a dialogue among
interests and expertise concerning
the architectural aspects of shared
issues this
principles
At issue
thesis addresses and
it
iterative
residential places.
The
the architectural
illustrates are neither innovative or complex.
is whether or not these principles are helpful in
deinstitutionalizing
the elderly congregate environment and
70
creating home-places which relate
supportive way to the current
in a very direct and
living patterns
the memories) of elderly dwellers.
(as well as
71
I
PUBLIC
)
ALLEY
DARTMOUTH
STREET
SITE
PLAN
o 5 10
COMMONWEALTH
AVENUE
20
40
72
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
ENTRY
VESTIBULE
DININGROOM
HALL
PUBLIC TOILET
KITCHEN
BREAKFAST RM
ELEVATOR
COURTYARD
SHOWER ROOM
DWELLING ONE
PARLOR/DINING
DWELLING TWO
VESTIBULE
ENTRY
GROUND
FLOOR PLAN
0
3
6
12
73
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
PORCH
MANAGER
LIBRARY
OPEN WELL
DWELLING - 3
WAITING
ELEVATOR
LAUNDRY
SHOWER ROOM
DWELLING-4
PARLOR/DINING
DWELLING-5
FIRST
FLOOR
0
3
6
PLAN
12
74
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
DWELLING -6
DWELLING - 7
DWELLING -8
SITTING ROOM
WAITING
ELEVATOR
OPEN WELL
BATHROOM
DWELLING-9
PARLOR DINING
DWELLING-10
Au
an
SECOND
FLOOR PLAN
0
3
6
12
75
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
DWELLING -11
SITTING ROOM
DWELLING -12
ROOF TERRACE
OPEN WELL
SHOWER ROOM
ELEVATOR
LAUNDRY
BATHROOM
DWELLING-13
OPEN WELL
THIRD
FLOOR PLAN
0
3
6
12
76
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
DWELLING -14
DWELLING -15
SITTING ROOM
SHOWER ROOM
ELEVATOR
OPEN WELL
STORAGE
FOURTH
FLOOR PLAN
0
3
6
12
77
SOUTH
ELEVATION
m
F
78
0
2
4
8
16
32
~--
GENERAL
SECTION
;
79
COURTYARD
SECTION & ELEVATION
m
0
z
LL
0>
81
165
163
161
AMES-WEBSTER
MANSION
024
COMMONWEALTH
AVENUE ELEVATIONS
8
16
ThFLF.4
32
+
82
Public Alley
place
Ondividual realm
-
LEISUREMEAL
PREP. & DINING
SLEEPING &TOILET
40
IONeighborly
realm
C-7
place
-LEISURET
DINING
[ODOO
alndividual
r ealm--
place
(SEE ABOVE
ACTIVITY LIST)
O Community
realm
place
T
LEISURE
CI-OCommunity
--------
plc
0
T g
realm
?
MEAL PREP. &
DINING
place
O Community
realm
---1
-- t
LEIURE &
DININGoo
s
(
0 Community
realm
place
LEISURE
DINING
Ground
Plan Organization
cZD
Public Avenue
path
access point
0
0
&
Floor Plan
OChoice of activity
place.
0 Choice of path and
access.
The Individual
0
The In-Between
DESIGN DIAGRAMS
-
The Community
INDEPENDENCE & CHOICE
83
0
0
ToT
PUBLIC
00
SEMI
PUBLIC
I-T
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
INDEPENDENCE
SEMI
0
PRIVATE T
& CHOICE
'
Sy providing places in between the public path and the private dwelling it is possible to provide multiple access
points into the dwelling as well as a buffer between the individual and community realms. The dweller is thereby
afforded a choice of path and of opportunity for social interaction.
The minimal nature of the private domain requires an. alternative to the individual's unit in- order to create special views
and unique amenities which are accessible to any dweller without being compulsory.
PRIVATE
0T
Original Inhabitation
Changing
Adapted Inhabitation
Needs over Time
Plan Organization
Plan Organization
Scenario A: initially, these spaces are occupied by two dwellers who share a common sitting room
which can accommodate overnight guests on a sofa-bed (1). They also share a common dining
area which is used for entertaining visiting family or for small group activities among dwellers(2).
Scenario B: Over time tenancy changes; there is a greater need for independence
and privacy so a shower is added to one unit and common accessways are
eliminated (3).
Scenario B: because
these dwellers
spend more time at
home and have re-
tained their own
furniture, they have
need of more leisure
and storage space.
4 pantry
5 sitting room
6 bedrm.&large cl.
7 sitting room
8 sideboard alcove
Partial Second Floor Plan
Initial Occupancy and an
Adaptive Variation
84
-
Gr ound Floor Plan
Plan Organization
1 =first floor
G=ground floor
2,3,4 = second, third, fourth floors
0g
O'. C
--
:-
B
aimuC
Maximum
Minimum Dwelling
Transitional spacespermiable boundaries
between related spaces.
-
. O OO
- -- -
: :
-.
D
E
A = Toilet room, dressing
B = sleeping, leisure
C = meal preparation &
dining
D = leisure, dining
E = leisure, dining, meal
preparation, bathing
& laundry
Dwelling
Ordering
privacy Diagram
kiof
relative to
dwelling activity.
DESIGN DIAGRAMS
COMMUNITY & PRIVACY
85
I
DESIGN DIAGRAMS
PUBLC
COMMUNITY & PRIVACY
-
-
PUBLIC
In order to insure the integrity of the private realm (4-6),
a series of in-between places (2,3) separate it from the
public realm (1). Meal preparation and dining are the least private
activities which take place within the individual's realm. Due to
their in between nature the kitchen and dining areas are enclosed
with permiable screens along the semi-public edge. These screens
are composed of operable, translucent shutters and windows, Dutch
doors, grilles, or shoji screens.
The in between, shared sitting room or dining area (2) further
buffers the private realm (4-6) from the public realm (1). By
creating semi public leisure space adjacent to the individual's realm,
the dweller is provided with a greater degree of privacy within the
individual unit because the bedroom (4) is no longer, of necessity,
required to be a part time sitting room (as it sometimes must at
Eldridge House). By adjusting the aperture of the semi private
screen the dweller may extend the private home place into the
communal shared place.
SEMIPRIVATE
PRIVATE
4
3r
-
PRIVATE
U5/
-
4
The Eldridge
House Patter
86
dimensions ->
3.5'
11'
11'
12'
dimensions
=~i
fireplace
focal point
11'
3.3'
6.7'
3'
8'
3.3'
6.7'
3'
12'
3.3'
6.7'
3'
3.3'
15'
6.7'
fountain
focal point
4.5'
3.3'
6.7'
12'
PL = place
Section Organization
3,
TR = transition space
11'
3'
12'
fireplace
focal point
5'
Ground Floor Plan
Plan Organization
PL
TR
place
=
transition space, part path
and part place.
D.U. = dwelling unit
S.P*= shared place below,
dwelling unit above.
The design is ordered through the repetition of a spatial pattern
which consists of specific-use spaces related to ambiguous-use
spaces through screen-like transitional spaces. Repetition of
dimensions reinforces the order.
DESIGN DIAGRAMS
ORDER & DIVERSITY
General Section
D.U.= dwelling unit
S.P. = shared place
The design isdiversified by changing the density of the
screen enclosure at the transition spaces and by
varying vertical dimensions in order to create a
related range of forms and scale.
87
Transition
Private Place
Transition
Semi-Public
Place
Transition
Private Place
Transition
Public Place
Transition
Public Place
Transition
Public Place
Transition
\
Public Place
Transition
GROUND
DESIGN
FLOOR PLAN
[~~~-~-~~~~~~--~
PROPOSAL
THE STRUCTURE
PRIOR TO INHABITATION
Place
Transition
88
Transition
(
Private Place
Transition
Semi-Public
Place
Transition
Private Place
Transition
Public Place
Transition
Private Place
Transition
Public Place (1)
Semi-Public
Place (2-4)
Transition
Public Place (1)
Private Place (2-4)
Transition
@
@2
DESIGN PROPOSAL
Place
Transition
THE STRUCTURE
PRIOR TO INHABITATION
89
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A
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