Xiaofei Wu

The result of the project is inclusive housing for the elderly with the concept of Co-Living, which can accommodate people of different ages and nursing staffs, and realise the integrated design of the residence, nursing and entertainment. The design aims to reduce the loneliness of the elderly and strengthen their connection with society. Different from the traditional nursing space, one-bedroom unit, two-bedroom family unit, care unit and emergency unit are provided considering the differences between populations’ demands of living. These seemingly fragmented family units are linked together and grow together rather than independently.

Therefore, the design strategy is based on the principle of paying more attention to the use of spaces for the elderly, mainly in the following three aspects: First, construct a variety of communal circulations in the building, including ramps, mobile platforms, stairs, elevators, etc. These modes of transportation can not only provide a more convenient connection space, but also serve as a shared space for the elderly to communicate and gather; Secondly, create visual stimulation, including two methods, landscape view and horticulture therapy. Some old elderly can also contact the outside world without leaving home through a variety of sight settings and green spaces (roof garden/terrace, green balcony, central courtyard, and some planting devices). At the same time, they can use the interaction with plants to achieve the effect of psychological healing; Thirdly, add more public facilities (communal restaurant, conversation area, reading area, performance area, art area, etc.) which are suitable for the elderly and advocate more social participation.

Normally, the value of the monument is often by placing valuable works of art on the plinth or letting people remember the hero sculpture, naturally, to make people respect it, to look up to and admire it. It aims at cherishing the hero of history or a precious artwork, on the contrary, this approach not only simplifies the forms of art on the plinth, but also increases the distance between people and art. Along with the evolution of the art on the fourth plinth, it has gradually become a symbol of contemporary art and is good at interactivity and narrativity in public space. I think this is a good developmental trend, it also makes me start thinking about how to redesign the fourth plinth, while criticising the traditional pillar-based form, I also think about how to engage people with public spaces. Through this intervention, I try to create an interactive design work to narrow the distance between people and public art.

On the fourth base, there is a polyhedral device. Each side of this device is a mirror, reflecting the sky. Each mirror also looks like a window with flowing clouds, so this work is called "A Window in The City ". The device was placed here in part to record a quiet moment in contrast to the noisy surroundings of the square. It also allows passers-by to experience peaceful moments and visual experiences while viewing the device. On the other hand, by observing the change of the sky in the mirror, people are reminded to discuss and pay attention to the change of urban climate and environment, and also increase the contemporary social attention to the urban environment. It is worth demonstrating that the item placed on the plinth can be a statue, or there are other options, such as people's consciousness (consciousness of environmental concern), which is more valuable than statues. When people pass this pillar, they can not only watch the appearance and find changes of the day's environment from different perspectives, but also record and communicate their feelings with the public, to a certain extent, achieve social interaction. At the same time, because the mirror material is special, this device will show two different states during the day and night. During the day, the device reflects the external environment. At night, the internal light of the device lights up, and the state of the internal space will be revealed. At this time, people can see a cage inside the device, and several pigeons flying towards the white clouds outside the cage, symbolising the desire for freedom, additionally, this scene is also associated with the pigeons flying freely every day in the square. Adding lights to the device can also make better use of the device's availability at different times in a day.

Broadgate is taken as an example to discuss the role of more free and open public spaces in the working environment. Through the study of literature related to pseudo-public space, analysis of the status quo and transformation of public space in Broadgate, and comparing the form of pseudo-public spaces in three different areas, it can be concluded that Canary Wharf and Broadgate are the main spatial forms of pseudo-public spaces in London. Although they have been changed and improved, they are still slightly less open, lacking effective use, allocation and attraction to people. To do this, we propose some short-term strategies, such as, distinguish the time period of the workers and general public to use the public spaces; Divide the public spaces, respectively for the use of workers and general public; Improve the sight guidance, make the internalised public spaces more visible; Provide more leisure entertainment and games to activate the site and improve the sociability between people; Provide suitable time and space for protesters or homeless people. Try to implement more behaviours and meet the needs of people who need more freedom of movement in this site.

Take two different types of houses (Malaysian longhouse and La borda) as examples to discuss the role of communal spaces in organising and changing lives, and how collective living promotes spatial composition and functional layout.

In this project, I oppose the current problem of discrimination against the elderly in society. In London, the survival problems faced by the elderly over 65 years old are becoming more and more serious. The government has adopted a policy of inaction and concealment, which puts a greater burden on the elderly living in nursing homes and the elderly living alone at their own home, but without sources of finance. As a result, the elderly, a vulnerable group, are the hardest-hit victims of COVID-19. This status quo also makes us start to think about how to re-emphasize the elderly through the change of urban space, to better protect and serve the lives of the elderly.

My story takes changes in the living space and lifestyle of the elderly as the main element. With ‘sharing’ as the main proposal, to design a new shelter space for the elderly, and to enable them to recover and rebuild their confidence to adapt to family life. The design object is the retired elderly over 65 years old in London. First, I analysed the distribution data of the elderly over 65 years old in different areas of London. Secondly, I have found the number of deaths in nursing homes in these different areas. I chose one area in North London with the worst situation, then selected a nursing home, and renovated the existing block where it is located.

The new form is circular. This circular space also embodies the concept of tolerance and sharing. Different sizes of these circular buildings provide different functions and are distributed in some open spaces and green spaces, connecting nearby streets and residential areas. In the centre of the building, a nursing space is placed to provide care support, which makes it easier for medical staff to observe the sudden situation of the elderly. In addition, I hope that, by changing the combination, number and location of these circular buildings, the results of these combinations can also be applied to other parts of London.

In this project, I oppose the current problem of discrimination against the elderly in society. In London, the survival problems faced by the elderly over 65 years old are becoming more and more serious. The government has adopted a policy of inaction and concealment, which puts a greater burden on the elderly living in nursing homes and the elderly living alone at their own home, but without sources of finance. As a result, the elderly, a vulnerable group, are the hardest-hit victims of COVID-19. This status quo also makes us start to think about how to re-emphasize the elderly through the change of urban space, to better protect and serve the lives of the elderly.

My story takes changes in the living space and lifestyle of the elderly as the main element. With ‘sharing’ as the main proposal, to design a new shelter space for the elderly, and to enable them to recover and rebuild their confidence to adapt to family life. The design object is the retired elderly over 65 years old in London. First, I analysed the distribution data of the elderly over 65 years old in different areas of London. Secondly, I have found the number of deaths in nursing homes in these different areas. I chose one area in North London with the worst situation, then selected a nursing home, and renovated the existing block where it is located.

The new form is circular. This circular space also embodies the concept of tolerance and sharing. Different sizes of these circular buildings provide different functions and are distributed in some open spaces and green spaces, connecting nearby streets and residential areas. In the centre of the building, a nursing space is placed to provide care support, which makes it easier for medical staff to observe the sudden situation of the elderly. In addition, I hope that, by changing the combination, number and location of these circular buildings, the results of these combinations can also be applied to other parts of London.