Collaborative design of Older Women ' s CoHousing. Issue 4 (14th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Devlin, Patrick; Douglas, Rachel; Reynolds, Tom
• Is Part Of: Working with older people. Volume 19:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 188
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2015-12-14
• Subjects: Collaboration -- Quality of life -- Information -- Well-being -- Sustainability -- Social inclusion; Community health services for older people -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.6094105
• DOI: 10.1108/WWOP-08-2015-0018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-3666

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – CoHousing provides a new approach in the UK to older people's housing, and meets a clear demand for similarly minded groups of individuals who would like to grow old together. The purpose of this paper is to explore how a Collaborative Design Process (CDP) can work, as applied to a soon-to-be realised project in North London. Design/methodology/approach: – Report by the architects with comment from an end user on a CDP including end users, architect, developer and housing association management. Findings: – A group of individuals that has invested in building decision-making capacity can participate meaningfully in the design of their future homes. Research limitations/implications: – This research was focused on one development, so work on a wider range of projects would help test its validity. Social implications: – Older Women's CoHousing (OWCH), and similar projects, demonstrate an appetite for: mutually supportive, intentional communities; planned downsizing and contemporary, sociable design for the third age of life. Originality/value: – The CDP developed for OWCH was comprehensively documented. It has already been adapted for further cohousing developments, and is intended to continue to evolve with the demands made on it.