Designing Autonomy and Community: Architects' Perspectives on Extra Care Housing in the UK

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Architecture
• Public Health

Background:

• Extra Care Housing (ECH) is a model for older adults promoting independence and care access.
• Existing research on ECH primarily focuses on healthcare and policy, neglecting architectural perspectives.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding architects' roles in ECH design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore UK architects' perceptions of designing Extra Care Housing (ECH).
• To investigate the impact of architectural design on older residents' quality of life (QoL).
• To understand how design choices influence residents' autonomy, safety, and social inclusion.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with 12 specialist architects in the UK.
• Thematic analysis of interview data using Atlas.ti and NVivo software.
• Deductive coding based on six Quality of Life (QoL) domains, with cross-tabulations for sub-theme analysis.

Main Results:

• Three main themes emerged: Sense of Community, Health and Safety, and Choice and Control.
• Design elements supporting autonomy, social interaction, and spatial orientation were identified.
• A critical, often overlooked theme of Mobility, Sensory, and Cognitive Stimulation was highlighted.
• Architects face challenges from regulatory constraints and limited financial resources.

Conclusions:

• Architects perceive ECH design as balancing resident independence with care requirements.
• Community-connected design, flexible spaces, and subtle safety features are crucial.
• Findings advocate for improved ECH practices and interdisciplinary collaboration in designing for older adults.