The City of the Elderly. Housing Integration Through the Mat-Building System..

Abstract

This article presents the results of a master's thesis that aimed to investigate housing densification for older adults at socioeconomic risk in Chile. The focus was on their integration and adaptation from the city to the dwelling, through the analysis of open systems in architecture.  

The rising percentage of people over the age of 65 in the country has prompted the State to initiate long-term care programs. These programs are carried out in collaboration with private institutions, including both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, that specialize in elderly care. However, the lack of coordination with non-profit institutions has increased the housing shortage, leading to inadequate living conditions, lengthy waitlists for housing, social isolation, loss of personal identity, and reduced independence for residents. 

To address these issues, the proposal advocates for a critical utilization of the mat-building system, originally proposed by Alison Smithson, to achieve enhanced densification and flexibility. This strategy is designed to cater to various needs, encompassing programmatic, functional, contextual, budgetary, constructive, and emotional considerations, to mitigate the housing deficit experienced by non-profit institutions serving economically disadvantaged older adults in our country. 

Based on the conclusions drawn from the analysis of the Smithson system, interventions will be made in the heritage building that serves as the headquarters of the Las Rosas Foundation, located in the commune of Independencia, Metropolitan Region. This historic monument, over 150 years old, holds significance not solely due to its historical and civic impact, but also owing to its architectural versatility, which stands as the primary reason for its preservation.