SPRING 2025
DESIGN 4
SENIOR LIVING HIGH RISE
Location: Niigata, Japan
Description: Students designed an accessible high-rise for Japanese seniors, synthesizing ADA, Type A, and Type B American accessibility requirements with cultural specificities. The project demonstrates a commitment to universal design while addressing the unique lifestyle preferences and ergonomic needs of Japan’s elderly population within a high-density urban context. Concept: Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of ensō, this design celebrates the “beauty of aging” as a continuous, soulful journey rather than a finite process. At the heart of the community lies a central communicating stair, acting as a structural anchor that fosters spontaneous connection and fluid movement between levels. Much like the hand-drawn stroke of an ensō circle, the architecture avoids rigid perfection, instead offering a framework where residents exercise meaningful choice in their personal environments and daily rhythms. This philosophy honors the individuality of every resident, ensuring the built environment remains an open, evolving invitation. By embracing the “open circle” aesthetic, the design creates a space that feels intentionally incomplete—waiting for the presence, history, and unique spirit of its inhabitants to bring it to fulfillment.
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