The psychology of an assisted living facility: For Lubbock, Texas

Abstract

Thesis statement: There is an interrelationship between environments and human behavior Environmental psychology examines this interrelationship and develops models so one can design, manage, protect, and restore environments that enhance reasonable behavior, predict what the likely outcome will be when these conditions are not met, and diagnose problem situations. Using research from environmental psychology and related fields, an architect can not only design environments to satisfy the physical (built spatial boundaries around people to satisfy basic needs of the human body), affective (beauty, orderliness, and comfort), and functional (suitable to the task for which it is designed) requirements of a design, but go further to examine the cognitive level (how the environment provides a continuum of meanings, or messages, as to how it shall be used and interpreted) and the integrative/social functions of design (supply for social behavior, help organize and regulate activities of groups). Facility type: To explore the interdependence of human systems and environmental systems, the special combination of housing, personalized supportive services, and health care of an assisted living facility are examined. Context statement: Understanding that the quality and character of the physical environment is a significant contributor to one's health, an expanding residential neighborhood lining a golf course in northwestern Lubbock, TX, was chosen to further convey the ideal of an assisted living facility being designed to embrace the idea of "home" over institution. Scope: The facility will accommodate sixty residents. There will be fifty one-bedroom apartments and ten efficiency apartments along with places for socialization, therapy, dining, and other various activities.