Coexistence of Elderly & Children

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Individual Academic Work, 2015

Joong-gu, Seoul, Korea

Playground in Apartment Complex Area

Mentor : Moongyu Choi

Displaced Children

This is a project to make new types of musical instruments by collaborating with other various fields: sound artists, sculptors, engineers, makers, and architects, etc. As mentioned on the project’s name, the aim of this project was to search the boundaries of musical instruments. As a participant within various fields, I started this project asking how we can interpret musical instruments by our own way, depending on our own fields.

Alienated Elderly

Not all space is an architecture. In order to be termed as an architecture, space needs to be organized and designed with a specific purpose. Likewise, it can’t be said that all sound-producing devices are musical instruments. Not all sound is termed as a music. Therefore, with delicate observations and interests on ignored sound, I could finally change the sound into a music which contains the purpose of performer.

Synergetic effect through coexistence

In this way, Korean apartment complexes have built facilities for children and elderly but have been operated in segregation and with inefficiency. However, if two different facilities are able to combine into one, it can generat interaction that brings up synergetic effect and provide solution for many problems. For example, under the supervision of elderly, children can be looked after and protected from various crime. Also, the elderly can find more meaning of life from the children. This project proposes a space that induces coexistence of different generations who stand in opposite stages of life to maximize the synergetic effect.

Relaxing under the tree

People rest and relax under the shade of trees. They enter into the space without any disturbance because it does not require particular determination. Also, they easily find comfort under the tree.

In order to apply similar environmental effect to this space, central column has replaced the many columns that support the roof. At the same time, the central column takes the shape of a tree to soften the entry.

This is also for removing visual blind-spot. All-direction open-space structure allows the elderly to overlook children from anywhere. This activates Foucault’s panopticon theory. As a result, the children are protected from strangers under the space that resemble the tree shade.

Space Forming Diagram

Space Arrangements for safety

Elderly Area is located surrounding the children area to protect them with their visual sight. Children are naturally protected by the activities of elderly in their area; thus, allowing the children to freely enjoy playing. At the same time, interaction between the two generations occur where the areas join.