Abstract:

According to the statistical data of GUS (the Central Statistical Office) the number of people over 65 is constantly increasing in Poland. In 2014 the average lifespan for men’s was 73,8 and 81,6 for women. In 2020 peope over 65 will consitute 18,9% of the society, in 2035 r. 24,5% and in 2050 as many as 32,7% (10 mln).

This undoubtedly positive trend of a longer lifespan which is the proof of improved living conditions creates various problems in shaping the built environment suitable for people with physical limitations, which are characteristic of old age. Designing complicated and difficult environments such as residential homes, more and more often is preceded by pre-design research as well as research carried out at the design stage in order to base the design process on solid evidence. Such research mainly aims at the appropriate performance of the process of functional and spatial programming and is based on post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of existing facilities with the participation of their users as well as experts in various fields of social science concerned with gerontology and geriatrics. This approach to design is known as EBD – Evidence Based Design i.e. design based on scientific evidence.

The presented research concentrates on the therapeutic role of the physical environment (healing environment) in order to determine the most important elements of the built environment which are therapeutically significant and determining the nature of their impact.
As part of the course at the Faculty of Architecture of the Silesian University of Technology with the participation of a group of students research was conducted into the design of the Senior Residence Nikolai complex, using the EBD method. The focus was on the analysis of selected environmental theories which have a significant impact upon the development of theory in architecture.

The main aims assumed in the didactic process were:
• familiarizing the students with the theory and principles of architectural design of nursing homes – by analizing existing literature and theory,
• acquiring the ability to conduct architectural and urbanistic research and analyses using selected methods; the ability to draw conclusions from them and to formulate guidelines for design and strategies
• developing the awareness of the significance and understanding of the non-technical aspects and effects of engineering activity, including its impact upon the environment and the responsibility for one’s decisions connected with it – by means of discussions and presentations.

As part of the subject Methodology of Scientific Work, the students during their seminar classes prepared concepts of research which produced design proposals for selected interiors of a nursing home.

Keywords:

Nursing home, pre-design research, healing environment.