DESIGNS TO IMPROVE TOWNHOUSE SPACE UTILIZATION FOR ELDERLY: A CASE STUDY OF YOO CHAROEN VILLAGE, BANGKHEN, BANGKOK

Abstract

The objectives of this research are (1) to study space usage behavior and physical environment of elderly residential townhouses (2) to design and improve the townhouses’ area to be suitable for the elderly. The case study area is a 30 year old and 2-storey townhouse located in Yoo Charoen Village, Bang Khen, Bangkok. This applied research is based on the collection of secondary and primary information on the elderly and characteristics of the research area. After that, the area usage issues were synthesized in order to suitably improve for the elderly. The area conceptualization and research results on usage behavior in different areas were presented. The results of this study showed that usage behavior in various areas of the house that elderly mostly consume for daily activities is on the ground floor. Elderly will use the area in the living hall for interesting activities and tend to move the sleeping space at night from upstairs to downstairs. It was found that the problems and obstacles of using space in Yoo Charoen village residences are similar such as handrails, ramps, lighting and air ventilation. There are two main elements that need urgent improvement: the bathroom and the living hall, and the design of the bedroom area to accommodate the future bedroom relocation.