This doctoral thesis deals with the type of architecture that materializes when age-related problems become a long-term condition (LTC) and gradually restrain the individual’s ability to perform activities in daily life (ADL). Their life situation necessitates a support from relatives or municipal eldercare staff in order for them to continue to participate in everyday living. In addition, the architectural space requires a close adjustment to the personal panorama of cognitive or functional impairments. The habitat can be a flat appropriated many years previously or in a residential care home for dependent and frail seniors. Architecture for ageing with dependency demonstrates how space can be used either to affirm or oppress the older person’s attempts to maintain an independent life style. By use of design theory, case study methodology and a heterogeneous research strategy, this study uses a threefold approach—a retrospective, a contemporaneous, and a future-oriented approach—to explore frail older people’s interaction with the architectural space of residential care homes. This has resulted in seven papers that focus on aspects of these human interactions with the built environment. Based on twelve exemplary models, the research paper I concludes that national guidelines result in a homelike, a hotel-like or a hospital-like environment. Research paper II is a retrospective study that examines the use of architecture competitions as a socio-political instrument to define architectural guidelines. Research paper III focuses on dependent seniors’ spatial appropriation of the communally shared space of a ward in a residential care home. Research paper IV employs two environmental assessment methods from the architecture profession and gerontological research (TESS-NH) in order to evaluate the use of interior colouring when refurbishing two residential care homes while the residents remained in place. Research paper V displays a municipal organizer’s considerations to opt for an architecture competition as a means of renewing architecture for the ageing population. Research paper VI examines competition documentation of three municipal architecture competitions organized during the period of 2006 to 2009. Research paper VII, the final study, explores notions concerning the appropriate space for ageing found among a group of municipal representatives, and people from organizations defending older people’s right. It supplies a model for understanding the appropriate space for ageing. This study illustrates the absence of older people with frailties in the public discussion about appropriate architecture for ageing. During the 20th century, the multi-dimensional idea of an architectural space with a homelike appearance has been used to contrast the negatively charged opposite—the complete and austere institution. The overarching conclusion of this study is that architecture for dependent and frail seniors constitutes a particular type of built space that requires an extended dialogue involving dependent seniors, architects, building contractors and care planners in order to conceive appropriate architecture for the ageing society. / QC 20110921

Dans un contexte mondial de vieillissement de la population, de nombreuses recherches sont menées pour améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes âgées résidant en institution, mais peu de ces travaux développent une approche architecturale. Cette recherche a pour but de proposer de nouvelles manières d’aménager ces lieux de vie, en rupture avec les paradigmes dominants du soin et de l’hôtellerie. L’hypothèse générale est qu’un environnement architectural de type domestique (-homelike) permettra aux résidents de se sentir habitants, ce qui devrait favoriser leur bien-être, leur autonomie et le développement d’interactions sociales. Notre procédure s’est basée sur le concept de l’Evidence-Based Psychology (-psychologie fondée sur la preuve), avec un essai randomisé contrôlé. Elle a consisté à réaménager de manière domestique l’espace d’entrée de plusieurs établissements dits « standards », puis à évaluer selon les méthodes de comparaison avant vs après ; établissement réaménagé vs non réaménagé. L’étude a été multidimensionnelle et exploratoire dans ses outils de recherche ; échelles de qualité de vie, cartographie comportementale, entretiens qualitatifs. Ce travail s’inscrit dans le contexte d’un développement récent du doctorat en architecture en France et contribue de fait à la réflexion épistémologique qui l’accompagne. Il permet également pour de faire prendre conscience de l’importance du cadre bâti pour la qualité de vie et met en avant le rôle social de l’architecte. / In a global context of population ageing, many research are conducted to improve the quality of life of older people living in assisted living facilities, but few of these works develop an architectural approach. This research aims to propose new ways to design these places of life, breaking with the dominant hospital and/or hotel models. The general assumption is that an architectural environment with homelike characteristics will allow residents to feel inhabitants, which should promote their welfare, autonomy and the development of social interactions. Our procedure is based on the concept of Evidence Based Psychology, with a randomized controlled trial. The entrance hall of several facilities corresponding to standards were refurbished in a homelike way, and then we evaluated comparing before vs after; refurbished nursing home vs non refurbished. The study was multidimensional and exploratory in its research tools; quality of life scales, behavioral mapping, qualitative interviews. This work take place in the French context of recent emergence of PhD in architecture and contributes de facto to the epistemological reflection that goes with it. It also helps to raise awareness of the importance of the built environment to the quality of life and highlights the social role of architectes.