Loneliness is a pervasive and complex issue influenced by numerous factors, including the design of the spaces we inhabit. This study explores how the spatial layout and architectural features of residential homes can be tailored to encourage social interaction and inclusivity across generations, addressing loneliness within the home environment. Drawing on literature, fieldwork and case studies, the research highlights key architectural principles, such as spatial layout, stability, housing density, natural light, and personalisation, that can foster social connectivity.The findings emphasise that smaller, poorly designed homes lacking clear separations between functional areas often exacerbate loneliness, while flexible communal spaces and opportunities for personalisation can enhance a sense of belonging. Stability and permanence in housing are also critical, as they encourage residents to invest in social relationships. The study includes a case analysis of the Diakonissestiftelsen project in Copenhagen, which demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design—through mixed-use housing, communal spaces, and transitional zones—can promote inclusivity and reduce isolation.The research underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, sociologists, caregivers, and residents to address loneliness effectively.While architectural design alone cannot eliminate loneliness, it can significantly contribute to creating environments that support social well-being. This study advocates for extended, in-depth research to identify specific design elements that positively influence social interaction, ultimately leading to more inclusive and connected communities.

The aging population in the Netherlands is growing rapidly, with the number of people aged 80 and above expected to double from 800.000 in 2020 to 1.5 million by 2050. This development, known as ‘’double aging’’, will significantly increase the number of people living with dementia, rising from 300.000 in 2020 to 620.000 by 2050. This demographic shift poses significant challenges for care and housing.

This research aims to explore how to design a care facility for people with dementia that enhances quality of life and autonomy. Additionally, the facility should align with the multicultural context of Tarwewijk. The main research question is:

‘’How can a care facility for people with dementia be designed to foster a humane and inclusive environment, with a focus on promoting autonomy and quality of life, for example in a neighborhood like Tarwewijk?’’.

The findings of this research show the importance of addressing three scales in the design: the environment, the building and the personal room.

At the environmental scale, the facility should integrate with the neighborhood to avoid isolating residents and encourage social interaction, enhancing their sense of autonomy. At the building scale, clear and simple layouts with recognizable landmarks help residents navigate independently. Small scale care settings, accommodating groups of 8 – 10 residents, provide a higher quality of life compared to larger groups. On the room scale, personalization and familiarity through personal items are crucial for creating a sense of comfort and belonging.

Given the multicultural context of Tarwewijk, the design must consider cultural preferences. Some cultures, such as Turkish and Moroccan, often prefer not to place their parents in care facilities, believing this reduces their quality of life. To address this, the design should include intergenerational homes alongside small-scale scale care facilities. In these homes, older adults can live with their children in one house, with separate entrances for privacy. This arrangement allows children to care for their parents while maintaining their own independence, this enhances the quality of life and autonomy of the older adults who can still live partially independently.

This research provides valuable insights into designing care facilities that promote autonomy and quality of life for individuals with dementia. It highlights the challenge of balancing safety, autonomy, and quality of life. It is important to note that this study focuses on general strategies to improves these challenges, individual needs and preferences can vary significantly. A set of design guidelines has been developed from this research, which will assist with the further design of care facilities in Tarwewijk for elderly people with dementia.