Architecture development tendencies of social facilities for elderly citizens. Japan experience
Authors: Kravchenko Iryna L. , Akopnyk Svitlana 
Published: July 2024

The article presents an analytical overview of the formation of the architecture of social institutions using the example of Japan. Statistical data on the ageing indicators of the population of this country are presented. The main aspects influencing the formation of the architecture of institutions for older people are considered, namely the socio-psychological aspect, scenarios for the functioning of objects, and the ideological component. Contemporary architectural examples that demonstrate relevant innovative solutions are presented and analyzed.
Preserving the quality of life is one of the important trends in forming social institutions for older people, both in the social field and in architecture. In the article, trends in the development of the architecture of social institutions for the elderly in Japan will be considered not only through the prism of the housing component but rather, due to the scenarios and ideology of providing certain services to the elderly.
It is proposed to analyze architectural examples, which, according to the authors, introduce the most interesting views-scenarios on the full-fledged life of older people. The article proposes to analyze three architectural objects, each of which in a certain way illustrates modern approaches to the formation of architecture for older people in Japan. Those objects are:
JIKKA / Issei Suma - spa & community centre in the city of Ito, a unique project called "a final abode for the clients". The object can rightly be attributed to a unique trend in the development of the architecture of institutions for the elderly - a conscious order to create such a building for people who will potentially also need care, but currently, according to their profession, chose the path of helping and caring for the elderly of their community and formed a specific design task for architects.Kaze No Machi Miyabira / Susumu Uno/ CAn + Met Architects - daycare centre in the city of Shobara, providing full-fledged medical and social care for elderly people who need daily support and shows a comprehensive solution for permanent care and short-term stay. The complex architecture takes into account local habits and traditions of life, so it looks like a large building-town, which is designed into one floor and has a significantly rugged plan, which is due to the functional blocking of rooms, the nurses' posts' location and functional links between building blocks.
Reversible Destiny Lofts / Shusaku Arakawa & Madeline Gins, Mitaka, Tokyo, the building is an experimental project and a certain result of the architects' experiment, it is intended for all age categories of users, but the main target audience is elderly people, directly for them architects used, so-called, procedural architecture - a powerful stimulation of the body's functions precisely using architecture and design – architecture that trains, tones and encourages movement.
The successful implementation of such objects became possible thanks to a detailed analysis of the social and psychological components, traditions and local habits. A powerful ideological component is embedded in every project, but it manifests itself in architecture in different ways. The operating scenarios of these facilities vary from full and calm care, maintenance and support to forced movement and revitalization of the lives of the elderly through the application of active means of architecture and design. Since Japan is one of the first countries to face the problem of population ageing, it is not surprising that it is in this country that we can see mature, relevant, sometimes somewhat specific trends in the development of the architecture of social institutions for the elderly. Different functioning scenarios, be it quietness and seclusion, or active movement and action, are achieved precisely by the means of architecture. And, sometimes, architecture itself is rehabilitative, prompting action and a full-fledged therapeutic component.