Rethinking the design for palliative care : exploring the concept of multigenerational living in Durban.

Abstract

“Architecture creates the places where human time takes place” (Harrison,2012) The process of death and dying is an aspect of our society that greatly influences our social context. That being said, the terminally ill are not often accommodated in the way that they need to be. The institutions that house the terminally ill tend to be too clinical in both the built environment and their processes. The terminally ill and their families need a chance to emotionally prepare themselves for the processes ahead of them. Even though the concepts around death and dying are often taboo, the design process should be sensitive while tackling palliative care. In the hope to ensure that the patients are exposed to nature, protection, sensory stimulation and a sense of sanctuary in a home-like environment which encourages social interaction. This dissertation proposes to focus on the physical environment of hospice care that facilitates the dying process, through the design of integrated living and palliative care. The objective is to reintroduce life within the architectural environment through the embodiment of movement, visual interest, meaning, memory, choice and integration. It focuses on ultimately understanding perception while focusing on the senses to induce a sense of wellness.