Transforming Space into Place: A Person-Environment Interchange Approach for Designing an Assisted Living Facility Courtyard

Abstract

This study tested whether it is applicable to design a long-term care facility courtyard for older adults with a person-environment interchange approach. We created design protocols for an underutilized courtyard at an assisted living facility to promote interactions amongst residents, others, and nature. Then, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with nine residents to explore their perceptions on the existing courtyard and the design protocols by presenting simulated prototyped landscaping in a video format. Findings suggest that residents appreciate multisensory features in their courtyard, and they are willing to play active roles in creating and sustaining their outdoor courtyard environments.

Keywords:

• Outdoor environments
• landscape design
• social engagement
• biophilic design

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge Dr. Diane Allen and Dr. Joowon Im for their generous feedback for this research project and the Brookdale Mansfield for their partnership.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).