A retirement community for those wanting more active minds and bodies

Scope Intelligence and knowledge are not lost as we become aged. Rather the fact is the further we get into our senior years, the more we tend not to exercise our brains. Just like our muscles, if we do not exercise our brain it will deteriorate. We live in a society today that contains more and more people over the age of 50. Twenty years ago 13% of the population was over 50. Today it is 18%. The trend now, is to live a more healthy and longer life. Fewer and fewer older people are moving into nursing homes, more are moving into their own communities. They are looking for a more fulfilling life. At 50 some of them are only halfway through their life. This leads me to my thesis that: Thesis Well designed architectural details and thoughtfully planned architecture can stimulate the aged persons intellect and their imagination, prolonging a prosperous life. Facility The retirement community concept that I will be investigating, is one regarding how people with active minds and bodies will live longer and have fulfilling lives. This facility will supply daily activities to help keep the mind, as well as the body well exercised. Activities will be so attractive, residents will choose to participate. Many forms of brain stimulation will be built into the environment. Context The area in-between Austin and San Antonio is an ideal location for this type of facility. Here people will live in a small community that is safe, secure, and promotes socializing. They will also be able to go to a big city, for any of their needs, in only a 30 minute drive. The area is well wooded and the topography is continuously rolling. Nature all around will add to the well-being lives of the residents.