Curating Homes: A Guide to Residential Design for Ageing-in-Place

Authorship: Jean Woo, Rina Ko, Kar Him Mo

Publication Date: January 2025

Abstract: Population ageing has stimulated a very active industry in senior living world-wide. This is a logical development since older people prefer to ‘age in place’, living independently in surroundings that are familiar to them, with an accompanying social network. Maintenance of physical and cognitive function is a prerequisite. The physical environment plays a vital role in facilitating independent living. This includes the building design and structure, the common facilities, as well as the immediate surrounding urban environment. While there are universal guidelines relating to building design, Hong Kong has a unique environment of high density living. Fit for purpose design of buildings for ageing-in-place needs to start from the users’ perspective, following the principles of healthy ageing promoted by the World Health Organization, where optimising intrinsic capacity is key to maintaining both physical and cognitive function. The design of buildings, as well as the usage of common areas, are both important in achieving this goal. This design guide represents a first in integrating these concepts, adhering closely to the World Health Organization’s concept of healthy ageing, beyond the consideration of absence of chronic diseases. It includes suggestions relating to on-site activities to maintain intrinsic capacity, which can be carried out using different business models. It would not have been possible to produce without the pioneering views of the Chinachem Group and the creative effort of Ms. Rina Ko, in combining current views of healthy ageing and architectural design. Hopefully developers, urban planners, as well as management companies, will find the guide useful, for the benefit of Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population.

Publisher: CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing