Charlotte Dahmen & Marlene Kossmann

The ageing process begins the moment we are born. Throughout this journey, our connection to our apartment, house, and neighborhood deepens. Memories are embedded in the items we collect: the plates on the wall, the streets we walk, and the people we meet. These elements define a home and provide a sense of orientation. As we grow older, the to remain in a familiar neighborhood increases, but what happens when stairs become a challenge?

In our search for solutions, we focus on Düsseldorf's Flingern-Nord and its urban typologies: row houses (purple), historic block buildings (red), and a single tower (green). A 500-meter radius around each building serves as a canvas for urban observation. Our approach is guided by three key levels: the age-friendly city, the community, and private space, represented by the bathroom. Each proposal aligns with these levels and is based on a detailed analysis at each location.

Programmatically, we create urgently demanded facilities, such as public restrooms, short-term and guest apartments, daycare, and multipurpose rooms. New access routes—like ramps in inner courtyards or shared addresses with communal elevators—promote independent coexistence. A playful approach to DIN standards sheds new light on the architectural design of age-appropriate spaces: how about a maximal living(bath)room, a transit-bathroom, or a minimal shower-toilet?
Interviews with individuals aged 65 to 90 reveal that aging is a deeply personal process, shaped by unique life stories. To reflect this, personal items from their homes have been incorporated into the project’s designs and visuals.

This project fundamentally demonstrates that existing urban neighborhoods can be transformed in an age-appropriate manner. It is not about creating special apartments for elderly; rather, it is about designing spaces that allow everyone to grow individually and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

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