PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
ACME ENGINEERING COLLEGE
BASUNDHARA, KATHMANDU
THESIS PROPOSAL
ON
An Intergenerational Learning Center in Machchhegaun: Shared Day-Care + Elder
Wellbeing Hub
Submitted To:
Name: Ayusha Rupakheti
Acme Engineering College
Registration No: 018-3-2-02907-2020
Department Of Architecture
Submission Date: Dec-24,2025
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ABSTRACT
The Kathmandu Valley is changing fast. On one hand, the number of older people is increasing,
and on the other side, many young people are leaving their hometowns for study, work, and
opportunities. Because of this, places like Machchhegaun in Kirtipur are slowly losing the
traditional multi-generational household system. Elderly people are often left alone during the day,
and children and youth are growing up with less guidance, storytelling, skills, and shared learning
from older generations.
This thesis proposes the design of an Intergenerational Center in Machchhegaun—a single space
where young children/youth and elderly people can spend their day together, learning from each
other through shared routines and activities. Instead of separating them into typical “old age
homes” or only “youth clubs,” the project combines elder wellbeing support with child/youth
learning and skill development in one community-focused place.
The key idea is to create planned shared zones—safe and comfortable spaces where generations
naturally meet: storytelling corners, craft and making spaces, kitchen garden areas, community
courtyards, learning rooms, and multipurpose activity nodes. Along with these shared areas, the
design also includes necessary private and quiet spaces for rest, care, and supervision. The overall
layout focuses on safety, accessibility, dignity, and daily usability for both age groups.
Architecturally, the project will take inspiration from the vernacular character of Machchhegaun—
courtyard life, verandas, community edges—while introducing modern, resilient infrastructure
suitable for a growing peri-urban context. The goal is to promote shared knowledge, reduce
isolation, rebuild mentorship, and present a practical model of social sustainability for Nepal’s
changing communities.
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Table of Contents
1
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1
Background ..................................................................................................................... 1
1.2
PROBLEM STATEMENT.............................................................................................. 1
1.3
Significance of Study ...................................................................................................... 2
2
OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................................... 2
3
METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................. 2
4
5
3.1
Literature Review............................................................................................................ 2
3.2
Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 3
3.3
Case Studies .................................................................................................................... 3
3.4
Design Phase ................................................................................................................... 3
SITE ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................... 4
4.1
Location .......................................................................................................................... 4
4.2
Site Justification .............................................................................................................. 4
PROPOSED PROGRAM ....................................................................................................... 4
5.1
Intergenerational Contact Zone (Shared Core) ............................................................... 5
5.2
Children & Youth Wing (Active + Safe) ......................................................................... 5
5.3
Elder Wellbeing Wing (Quiet + Dignified) ..................................................................... 5
5.4
Community Interface + Service Zone ............................................................................. 6
6
EXPECTED OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 6
7
CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................................... 7
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1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
The Kathmandu Valley is facing a noticeable change in its social structure. The population of
elderly people is increasing, while many young adults are leaving their hometowns for work, study,
and better opportunities. Because of this, the traditional multi-generational household system is
slowly breaking down in peri-urban settlements like Machchhegaun, Kirtipur.
In Machchhegaun, elderly people often spend their day alone, while children and youth lack daily
mentorship, guidance, and cultural learning that previously came naturally from elders. At the
same time, families are also looking for safe and meaningful spaces for children during the day.
This thesis proposes the architectural design of an Intergenerational Community Learning
Center—a typological hybrid that brings child/youth learning and elder wellbeing support into one
shared place. The project focuses on creating planned and safe “Intergenerational Contact Zones”
where both generations can meet, learn, and spend time together through shared activities.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
•
Elder Isolation: As family structures change, many older people face loneliness and
reduced social interaction during the day.
•
Loss of Mentorship: Children and youth are growing with limited exposure to elders’
knowledge, life skills, stories, and cultural practices.
•
Lack of Support Facilities: Machchhegaun lacks dedicated, inclusive community spaces
that support both early childhood development and senior wellbeing together.
•
Weak Community Bonding: With out-migration and busy lifestyles, community interaction
is decreasing, affecting social unity and shared identity.
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1.3
Significance of Study
This project is significant because it challenges the usual “separate buildings for separate age
groups” approach.
•
Social Sustainability: Encourages community bonding and reduces loneliness through
daily shared routines.
•
Knowledge Transfer: Protects local culture and shared learning by connecting elders’
experience with youth curiosity.
•
Community Model: Can become a replicable prototype for other peri-urban areas of
Kathmandu Valley facing similar demographic change.
•
Inclusive Design: Demonstrates universal accessibility and dignity-based architecture for
all age groups.
2
3
OBJECTIVES
•
To address elder isolation and reduced mentorship
•
To preserve and activate Machchhegaun’s local knowledge and community bonding
•
To provide a safe, accessible and inclusive community facility
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Literature Review
•
Study of intergenerational design principles and social sustainability in community
architecture.
•
Review of universal design and barrier-free guidelines (ramps, handrails, accessible toilets,
safe surfaces).
•
Research on child development spaces (day-care learning environments, play safety,
supervision).
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•
Research on elder-friendly environments (resting, daylight comfort, mobility, acoustics,
healthcare support).
3.2 Data Collection
•
Primary Data:
o
Site observation and mapping (movement patterns, noise zones, sun/wind,
slope/drainage)
•
o
Community interviews (parents, elders, teachers, ward representatives)
o
Photographic documentation, measurements, land-use documentation
Secondary Data:
o
Local ward/municipal by-laws of Kirtipur Municipality
o
Demographic trend references (aging + migration)
o
Climate data for Kathmandu Valley (solar path, rainfall, winter comfort)
3.3 Case Studies
•
International: Intergenerational centers/day-care integrated senior centers (planning,
zoning, safety, shared program strategies).
•
National/Local: Community centers, day-care facilities, elderly support homes, courtyardbased public spaces in Kathmandu Valley (materials, spatial culture, climate response).
3.4 Design Phase
•
Zoning & Adjacency: Define shared zones vs quiet zones; active vs passive areas; safe
access control.
•
Spatial Programming: Develop ICZ (Intergenerational Contact Zones), nodes (shared
learning and activity spaces) + independent wings.
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•
Universal Accessibility: Ramp gradients, rest intervals, tactile/non-slip surfaces, easy
wayfinding, safety edges.
•
Climate Responsive Design: Courtyard ventilation, verandas for shade/rain protection,
daylight control, winter sun capture.
4
SITE ANALYSIS
4.1 Location
•
Site: Proposed site within Machchhegaun, Kirtipur—preferably near a community spine
(school/health post/bus access) for easy daily reach.
•
Access: Connection to local road network and walkable pedestrian approach for children
and
elders.
4.2 Site Justification
•
Community Reach: A central location supports daily attendance for both age groups.
•
Walkability: Elders benefit from short, safe walking distances; children need safe drop-off.
•
Village Social Fabric: Machchhegaun’s community culture supports shared learning and
collective spaces.
•
Potential for Courtyard Typology: The setting allows a courtyard/veranda model that fits
local living patterns.
5
PROPOSED PROGRAM
The program is designed to work in a daily routine model, combining shared and independent
spaces. It is organized into four main zones:
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5.1 Intergenerational Contact Zone (Shared Core)
•
Shared courtyard / “Sajha Aagan”
•
Storytelling & reading lounge (library corner)
•
Craft and making studio (safe tools + supervised)
•
Kitchen garden + seed nursery learning area
•
Music / culture activity room
•
Multipurpose learning space (workshops, games, exhibitions)
5.2 Children & Youth Wing (Active + Safe)
•
Day-care learning rooms (age-based)
•
Indoor play + outdoor play yard (soft edges, safe surfaces)
•
Nap/rest room
•
Child-friendly toilets + wash area
•
Parent waiting / drop-off zone
•
Child storage + pantry
5.3 Elder Wellbeing Wing (Quiet + Dignified)
•
Day lounge (social seating, quiet activities)
•
Rest/nap room (acoustically protected)
•
Health check / first-aid room (basic)
•
Counseling / meeting room
•
Accessible toilets
•
Therapy-friendly walking loop (veranda + garden)
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5.4 Community Interface + Service Zone
6
•
Multipurpose hall (community meetings, events, training)
•
Community kitchen / café (optional, supports sustainability)
•
Admin + staff room
•
Storage, maintenance, waste management
•
Secure entry control + reception
•
Parking/drop-off (limited) + ambulance access (basic provision)
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The thesis will conclude with a complete design portfolio demonstrating:
1. Master Plan & Site Strategy: Integrating the project into Machchhegaun’s settlement
pattern and movement network.
2. Zoning + ICZ Framework: Clear diagrams showing shared vs private zones and how
interactions are planned safely.
3. Architectural Resolution: Plans, sections, elevations with universal accessibility and
climate response.
4. Technical Details: Ramp/handrail, toilet accessibility, daylight strategy, material choices,
safety edges, drainage.
5. Atmospheric Visualization: Renderings showing courtyard life, verandas, shared learning
moments, calm elder spaces.
6. Operational Concept: A basic daily schedule model showing how shared programs run with
supervision and safety.
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7
CONCLUSION
This thesis aims to respond to the demographic and social shift of Kathmandu Valley by proposing
an Intergenerational Community Learning Center in Machchhegaun. Instead of separating
children/youth and the elderly into different institutions, the project creates a shared environment
where both generations can learn from each other through planned and safe interaction zones.
By combining child development, elder wellbeing, and community learning in one place—and
grounding the architecture in Machchhegaun’s vernacular spatial culture—the project promotes
social sustainability, reduces isolation, and rebuilds mentorship within a changing peri-urban
context of Nepal.
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