The driving force for this research was the rising need for additional supported living housing for intellectually disabled adults steering towards their social inclusion; besides all the efforts so far, there is a strong necessity to improve the architectural environment offered to this population. The study of the relevant literature and the fieldwork conducted based on ethnographic methodology guided this inquiry towards biophilic design, a tool that can improve the quality of life of residents in supported living settings. Taking into consideration the rights of this vulnerable group to independent living, social interaction and well-being, the main research question that guided the whole process leading to the formulation of the qualities on which the design process will be based was: how can biophilic design be implemented to improve the quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities who live in supported living environments? The findings of this research indicate that a small-scale living facility located in the heart of a neighborhood, accessible by public transportation and close to public functions, seems ideal for intellectually disabled residents who live in supported living arrangements. The program can benefit from hybridity, combining dwellings with recreational and therapeutic facilities that can enhance the health and well-being of both the intellectually disabled population and the neighborhood community.

From 1952 to 1957 Anne Tyng and Louis Kahn collaborated on the proposal of the Philadelphia City Tower, an idea for an innovative high-rise building that would be seen as a landmark for the city of Philadelphia, USA. Even though initially Anne Tyng did not get credit for her work, her contribution to the proposal is apparent; the City Tower design encompasses Anne Tyng’s approach in architecture, heavily based on geometrical and mathematical notions. Yet, the stylistic approach of the sketch, the free hand strokes and the different line weights contrast the concrete science behind geometry and the overall approach Anne Tyng had towards drawings. Who was really the creator of this drawing? And, more importantly, how do the representation tools used by the two architects translate their architectural ideas? Architectural representation is a crucial aspect of the architectural practice; the choice of the medium and the tools plays a catalytic role as to how a project is perceived. Through the analysis and comparison of the drawings, sketches and physical models of the Philadelphia City Tower, this thesis attempts to highlight how the philosophy and interest of each architect is translated through the various architectural tools of representation.