RAIC Journal: Accessible Architecture in the Super Ageing EraA Field Report from Japan
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Fukagawa Enmichi community centre. Photo by Henry TsangCanadas population is aging rapidly, yet our built environment is not adapting quickly enough. By 2050, the number of seniors will be double that of todays, reaching one-fourth of the population. Japanthe most advanced ageing country in the worldhas already reached this milestone, and entered what is known as the super-ageing era. A stroll around Tokyo gives a glimpse of what the future holds, and provides clues to what Canadas cities and built environment will need to do to adapt to this forthcoming reality. I will introduce a few instructive projects here.To begin, Tokyo is the largest city in the world, and its complexity is mind-numbing. Yet it is safe, walkable and accessible. Nearly all of Tokyos 822 train stations have elevators, and major sidewalks are all connected by an expansive network of yellow tactile indicators. Intersections have generous curb ramps with visual and audible signals at crossings. But perhaps most impressive for Canadians is the quality of the sidewalk pavement: flat, smooth, rigid and spotless.As a first case study, I visited Fukagawa Enmichi, an award-winning multi-generational community centre designed by JAMZA. Architect Shun Hasegawa gave me a tour and described his concept for a community hub fit for 0 to 100-year-olds. The building spaces are shared among several operators, including an infant daycare, an after-school club, and a day service for seniors. What makes it work is the intentional programming and layout, which encourage the three groups to intersect and interact. The functional spaces are connected by an interior street that doubles as a library and an alleyway shortcut. From the outside, it looks like a caf, so many people are curious and wander in, but when they find out its not, they walk through our street and exit from the back door, says Hasegawa. Its funny how people get embarrassed to leave from the door they entered. Some people use our corridor as a shortcut. But thats what we wanted it to be, a street-like connector and public space that contributes to the neighbourhood.Visit to the Nishi-Kasai Inouye Eye Hospital. Photo by Henry TsangA second case study is the Nishi-Kasai Inouye Eye Hospital, a healthcare facility specializing in age-related diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. I visited with Kevin Ng, the Rick Hansen Foundations accessibility expert. The building was designed by architecture firm Kajima, and implemented a series of innovative accessibility solutions specific to senior patients with low vision. According to Mari Chiba, the hospitals corporate manager, One thing you would notice is that there is very little use of braille, despite being an ophthalmology hospital. In reality, our patients have very low braille literacy because they have low vision, they are not blind. Therefore, we focused the design on enhancing visibility, such as color contrast and lighting, as well as audible signals. Soft and hard materials were used for flooring to vary the sound and feel of directional wayfinding. Ceiling lights and handrail lighting are aligned to be used as track lighting, and in emergencies, this lighting flashes to provide directional indication.In the super-ageing era, there will be need for super-accessible solutions for the built environment. But we may not have to reinvent the wheel. This month, the RAIC Long Term Care Working Group will be hosting its first online panel discussion on the future of architecture for ageing in Canada. Stay tuned.Dr. Henry Tsang, Architect, AAA, FRAIC, is an RAIC Advisor to Professional Practice appointed to the RAIC Long Term Care Working Group. He is also an associate professor at the RAIC Centre for Architecture at Athabasca University, and is currently on sabbatical leave as a visiting professor at the University of Tokyo.As appeared in theFebruary 2025issue of Canadian Architect magazine The post RAIC Journal: Accessible Architecture in the Super Ageing EraA Field Report from Japan appeared first on Canadian Architect.
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