Middle ground

Among New Zealand’s aging population, there has emerged a growing dissatisfaction with traditional retirement villages. Typically located on suburban peripheries and enclosed by high fences, these institutions limit intergenerational interaction, while simultaneously isolating residents and increasing loneliness among older adults. The subsequent growing preference for ageing in place highlights the need for alternative solutions that better cater to the needs of elderly individuals.

This research explores how contemporary architectural design in multigenerational suburban retirement communities may promote intergenerational interactions, thus reducing loneliness among the aging population. Well-designed outdoor spaces are central to this goal, by integrating residents of all ages into the social fabric of the community and providing opportunities for spontaneous connections.

A mixed-methods approach, incorporating a literature review and case studies, guides an integrative design process. The research progresses through three stages: decreasing in scale and complexity; site-wide, community-level, and neighbourhood-level. Insights from each phase shape the next, ensuring a dynamic and responsive process and outcomes. The three stage proposal promotes an alternative and contemporary vision for retirement living through the introduction of multigenerational communal spaces that enable meaningful and socially enriching experiences for all generations.