Associate Professor Paola Zellner’s Third-Year Lab In-Progress Review

Recently, Associate Professor Paola Zellner's third-year lab held an in-progress review with Associate Design Principal at Hanbury, Rick Fischl AlA, Architectural Designer at ZGF, Daniel Kim, and Assistant Professor of Residential Environments and Design at AHRM, architect Greg Galford.

In response to the increasing life expectancy in the US and the growing desire of a larger portion of the senior population to continue to live independently, the project, "Migrating to the Center," asks students to envision alternative models for senior housing. While conventional models migrate the senior population away from the social fabric of their communities in detriment of both, the prompt invites the study of a site in downtown Roanoke for a program providing housing for 65+, which needs to integrate also multiple social and community-building opportunities through the architecture for the enjoyment of its residents and the Roanoke community alike. The project seeks to foster the re-assimilation of 65+ into the urban life, promoting their participation in the city's social activities while facilitating intergenerational exchange.