An aging population is one of the biggest challenges facing cities today. Poland, like many other European countries, is struggling with a growing number of seniors and a concomitant shortage of spaces that support their needs. Traditional nursing homes are increasingly proving inadequate - they are isolating rather than integrating. In response to this problem, {tag:studenci} designed the Modular Activity Center for the Elderly, which was built on Lake Dabie in Szczecin. The project shows that architecture can not only provide care, but also create a space for activity, contact with nature and intergenerational integration.
site location
© Katarzyna Kozłowska
seniors at the center of the community
The basic premise of the project was to move away from the vision of "closed nursing homes." Kozlowska proposes an open space where the elderly become part of the local community. The center combines health care with recreation, physical activity, culture and education. Thus, the building becomes a meeting place, not just an institution - seniors can participate in social life, develop passions and remain active for as long as possible.
modules
© Katarzyna Kozłowska
The key idea of the project is modularity. Instead of a single, massive building, a set of modules was created, which can be put together, expanded and customized as needed. Each module has a separate function - medical, recreational, educational or catering - and together they form a cohesive whole. This allows the Center to grow over time and respond to the changing needs of residents.
toward nature - shinrin-yoku and komorebi
The project is strongly inspired by the Japanese philosophy of shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing." According to this idea, contact with nature has a therapeutic effect, reducing stress and improving mental health.
courtyard
© Katarzyna Kozłowska
The solutions used - glazing, wooden facades, therapeutic gardens and walking paths - are meant to enhance the feeling of closeness to nature. The interiors are bright, filled with daylight, and the space is designed so that patients experience the phenomenon of comorbidities - glimpses of sunlight between the leaves of trees.
The center was designed in a unique context - on the shore of Lake Dabie in Szczecin. It is a place with great landscape and recreational potential, which naturally encourages therapy, relaxation and outdoor activities.
In this way, architecture becomes part of the landscape, and seniors gain a space that combines care with nature and culture.
media room
© Katarzyna Kozlowska
architecture that supports health
The design emphasizes the mental and physical comfort of users. An important role is played by:
-
daylight - large glazings provide access to natural light,
-
natural materials - wood and stone create an atmosphere of warmth and authenticity,
-
accessibility - the absence of architectural barriers and wide circulation paths make it easier for people with limited mobility to get around,
-
openness - common spaces promote integration while providing opportunities for withdrawal and relaxation.
playroom
© Katarzyna Kozłowska
Katarzyna Kozłowska's project is not just an architectural proposal - it is also a voice in the debate about the role of the elderly in society. The center does not treat old age as a problem, but as another stage of life that can be active and meaningful.
It is an example of architecture that does not isolate, but integrates. It shows that aging can become an impetus for creating new, valuable spaces - open, friendly and conducive to health.
