Generational Weave: An age Inclusive Community Centre

Abstract

The demographic composition of Toronto is shifting rapidly, with a significant increase in the senior population prompting the need for innovative, socially inclusive care solutions. Traditional models of senior care have typically led to environments marked by isolation and limited interaction across generations, negatively impacting seniors’ emotional and social well-being. Addressing this gap, this thesis proposes an architectural reimagining of community spaces through the design of a Intergenerational community centre integrated with senior care facilities located in North York, Toronto.

This project challenges conventional paradigms by promoting environments that actively nurture social connectedness, emotional resilience, and intergenerational reciprocity. Central to this thesis is the principle of universal and adaptable design, ensuring spaces seamlessly accommodate the varying needs of seniors, adults, and children. By fostering natural and spontaneous interactions, the design aims to diminish generational barriers and facilitate meaningful relationships.

Through careful site integration, including the strategic development of an existing water stream as a central community feature, the thesis underscores architecture’s role in cultivating a sense of belonging, dignity, and vitality. Ultimately, this project presents a comprehensive design framework for multi-generational spaces that enrich social connections, foster emotional well-being, and set new benchmarks for community-based senior care in an urban context.