Statistically, the life expectancy of newborn children rises by two to three months each year. How long this trend will continue is scarcely predictable. One thing is certain, however, namely that people will reach an
ever greater age as time goes on and that, alongside the demographic change that is taking place, a social change will increasingly make itself felt in our living, housing and constructional concepts.
Senior citizens remain fit for much longer nowadays. They wish to participate in life in an active and autonomous fashion, and the lives they lead are by no means confined to the family circle – not least because many elderly people live on their own and/or have no children; or they do have children, but these are scattered about the world. Independently of a person’s age, though, scarcely anyone does not strive for those essential elements that ideally define all family relationships: support, acknowledgement, security and protection. As a result, building for the elderly is particularly concerned with creating a tight social network in the immediate neighbourhood. (Roland Pawlitschko)
ever greater age as time goes on and that, alongside the demographic change that is taking place, a social change will increasingly make itself felt in our living, housing and constructional concepts.
Senior citizens remain fit for much longer nowadays. They wish to participate in life in an active and autonomous fashion, and the lives they lead are by no means confined to the family circle – not least because many elderly people live on their own and/or have no children; or they do have children, but these are scattered about the world. Independently of a person’s age, though, scarcely anyone does not strive for those essential elements that ideally define all family relationships: support, acknowledgement, security and protection. As a result, building for the elderly is particularly concerned with creating a tight social network in the immediate neighbourhood. (Roland Pawlitschko)