Architecture Commons^™

Casa Como Yo, Gabriela Montilla

Architecture Senior Theses

"The key to addressing Puerto Rico’s increased life expectancy is to provide housing that improves people’s quality of life while growing older. I contend that the role of architecture is to encourage people to embrace aging through a re-conceptualization of senior housing: designed as “not so senior” (which stigmatizes the older individual as being less capable) and more focused on life satisfaction- promoting free will, flexibility, and program integration. Housing for the aging population should accommodate spatial needs over time in a self-directed personal environment, as well as provide interest and connection to the larger urban community."

Aging With Independence And Interaction: An Assisted Living Community, Steven J. Flositz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the U.S. population gets older, there is an increased need for senior housing. However, elderly housing is currently associated with dependence and isolation. There is a great disconnect from the retired community with its surrounding context. Senior housing and nursing homes are becoming more similar to miniature hospitals rather than a residential type. This negative view of nursing homes is becoming clear to the general population. In fact, most seniors fear the idea of living within an aging complex. Also, people generally avoid these places, even while visiting family. Florida is on the frontline for the effects of the …

Creating Social Networks: Resettlement Center For Burmese Refugees, Kelly Lynne Clarke

Architecture Theses

The refugee resettlement program in the United States must encourage both the formation of refugee communities and integra­tion within the larger community. I propose a multiuse building to strengthen refugee communities [bonding social networks] and connect refugees to the larger community [bridging social networks]. Both of these connections are essential for refugees to become integrated in a community. The building will be run by Lutheran Social Services who currently assists in the resettle­ment of refugees in the Springfield, Massachusetts area, with assistance in funding from the Wilson-Fish Discretionary Grant Program which provides financial support for alternative models of resettlement.

In …