Areas for social interaction, communal activities, classes and events, in which the two generations can come together to share skills and life experiences, are included in the scheme.
Tollé, the architects with a base in Dusseldorf, want to build a sister project at the same time in the UK and are currently raising awareness of the project to prospective partners and supporters.
It is the aim of the architects to echo the considerable success they have enjoyed in the commercial sector to social projects and living environments.
Architect Sandra Tollé said: “A multigenerational complex such as Welkercampus creates a social living space and can be effective in fostering relationships that have been lost in some areas of our society for the mutual benefit of both young and old enjoying the interplay possible between generations.
“The scheme would help to ensure older people feel integrated and less isolated. Those young people with disabilities or special needs could also benefit greatly from living in an environment such as this with the support of dedicated agencies.
“Students would gain from sharing their skills and helping those with whom they are living alongside. Universities could also explore the possibilities of offering additional vocational and social studies to students who would use their experience of living in this environment to complement their learning.”
A campus has already been designed for 100 units on the site of a former home for the elderly in Duisburg, a town where there is a student population requiring accommodation. Potential sources for loans for the capital investment required have also been identified.
The design includes a hub for service providers to help and promote the benefits of the communal living scheme and to give support to those who need it so the social interaction is not just left to chance. Music, cookery, crafts, film, new technology are all areas that will be explored in encouraging the interplay of different generations.
The site covers approximately 1700sqm and includes flexible accommodation on three floors - with students in bedsit style units, but which could be adapted for couples or small families; and one bedroomed apartments on the ground floors for older people.
Professor Viktor Grinewitschus, of Hochschule Ruhr-West & EBZ Business School in Bochum said: “Current models of accommodation designed for older people often make them feel excluded from society. A multigenerational scheme could help bridge a very real gap, helping older people, some of whom are highly trained in their respective fields, to still remain active and feeling useful, while giving the young vital contact with those of a different generation.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr Chris Thomas, Milton Contact Limited, +44 (0)1223 440024, chris@miltoncontact.com
