Designing for the elderly

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 33

Designing for the elderly

The architect behind the major design success of Maryville Courts, at the corner of Salisbury and Manchester Streets, is Mr lan Krause, of lan Krause and Associates. Asked how he felt about the end product of Maryville Courts, Mr Krause said, *1 got a lot of satisfaction knowing that the whole concept actually works.” There were many problems to be considered for the elderly. "It’s not like designing for a young couple. I had to, quite literally, think like an elderly person,” he said.

“Homes are often seen by the elderly as a self-degrad-ing step and, for others, the end of their life cycle. “Ownership flats are equally unsuitable because while a young couple next door may enjoy a bit of noise, the elderly are looking for peace and quiet,” said Mr Krause.

For this reason, Mr Krause sees the village concept as ideal for the elderly. “Not only do they get companionship, and peace and quiet, but they are secure as well,” he said.

“Going from your original home to a.smaller version of your home with a community atmosphere is not degrading. “Although you can enjoy and thrive within the community atmosphere, you may also withdraw to the privacy of your own home too,” he said.

Mr Krause’s initial aims when designing Maryville Courts was to create “independent little homes with character about them.”

“I wanted to give them something in those homes which they could identify with,” he said.

Plans for the units have been designed with the care of a perfectionist.

“No bedsitters — they were out,” Mr Krause stated bluntly.

“It’s important for elderly couples to have two bedrooms. Often they may prefer to sleep separately,” he said.

“In cases where one may be sick or bedridden for some time, the units are designed so that the bed can actually be moved more into the lounge area. “From my own experience I feel a lot better, when I’m ill in bed, if I can actually see what other people are doing around me or, when friends visit, I can take part in talking to them,” he said. The elderly sick, therefore, are not isolated in their bedrooms for long periods, but can enjoy company and the sunshine in the lounge.

“It’s definitely not a proven thing, that they get better quickly for those reasons,” he said, “but I certainly see it as a psychological thing with people.” The design of all units allow for disability, and are accessible by wheelchair.

There is a section under each kitchen bench which can come out for wheelchair convenience. Toilets and showers are also designed for wheelchair access.

“Although many old people may have physical disabilities, this does not mean that their minds are any less sound than any younger person’s,” he said. Mr Krause recalls one amusing moment when an elderly gentleman • asked him to repeat a question. “I spoke very loudly and slowly to him the repeated question,” said Mr Krause.

“To which I received the snappy reply that he was only deaf and not stupid. “From that angry retort, I learned quickly never to underestimate an elderly person,” he said. Mr Krause does concede that there are the extreme cases that may end up in

homes but he strongly believes that sickness is often psychological rather than physical “Elderly people deteriorate faster in homes because they lose their independence, but you put them in a place like Maryville Courts and they’re likely to enjoy their independence for a lot longer,” he said.

Even such details as whether to have flat or steeped roofs were considered.

“Flat roofs just looked wrong, so we put steeper roofs and gables up,” he said.

The block veneer walls were chosen for their crispness, brightness and the white colouring. ‘lt gave a nice over-all feeling of cleanliness,” he said.

The greatest reward for Mr Krause was the feedback from the residents, themselves. “I sometimes think twice about going to Maryville Courts, because once they find out I’m the architect, it’s usually several hours before I can get away again,” he laughed. "They all want to grab me to show me how they’ve done up their homes and to tell me how much they enjoy living there. “I love it, of course, because they enjoy living there and that’s great. “For the children of the elderly, it’s also reassuring to know that their parents are happy to live independently, and yet they are also well looked after by the management of the complex,” he said. As a designer for elderly housing, Mr Krause speaks and works from 10 years experience of designing homes for the elderly. Mr Krause has designed many cottages for the elderly for local authorities in Christchurch. A few of these at Stanmore Courts, 26 units in Aorangi Courts, and 32 units in Leighs Road.