A HOME OF ONE’S OWN

THE RIDGES, NOW PART OF THE OHIO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IS HISTORICALLY PRESERVED SITE ONCE HOME TO A KIRKBRIDE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL. THE HISTORY OF THE MAIN BUILDING, JUST ONE OF NEARLY 30 OTHER KIRKBRIDE HOSPITALS, IS CHARGED AND THE BUILDING ITSELF REMAINS A MATERIAL ARTIFACT, PRIMARILY INTACT AND IN NEED OF NEW USE. 

IN AN EFFORT TO DEINCENTIVIZE TEARING DOWN AND BUILDING NEW GIVEN THE CURRENT CLIMATE CRISIS, THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO ADAPTIVELY REUSE THE EXISTING STRUCTURE INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING.

GIVEN THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION STATUS OF THE BUILDING, THE NORTH FACADE REMAINS ALMOST UNTOUCHED BUT THE LESS HISTORICALLY PRECIOUS SOUTH FACE IS OPENED UP TO ALLOW FOR LIGHT, CONNECTION TO OUTDOORS AND INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY. 

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING 2023

ATHENS, OHIO, USA | 39.3196 N, 82.1100 W

THE PROJECT APPROACHES SENIOR LIVING FIRST AND FOREMOST AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FOCUS ON THE EPHEMERAL ELEMENTS THAT WE OFTEN OVERLOOK IN OUR WORKING LIVES. THIS FOCUS IS ENHANCED BY CONNECTING TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND TO COMMUNITY, IDEALS THAT ARE PRESERVED FROM THE ORIGINAL INTENTIONS FOR THE BUILDING. TACTILE EXPERIENCES OF MUNDANE MOMENTS LINK EACH SPACE TO THE NEXT; BETWEEN THE MARKET AND THE KITCHEN ONE CAN TRAVEL OUTSIDE, FEELING THE WARMTH OF BRICK HEATED BY THE SUN ON THEIR FINGERTIPS AND COOL GRASS BETWEEN THEIR TOES. WHILE THE PROPOSAL INCORPORATES A VARIETY OF SERVICES:

APOTHECARY

BAKERY

BATHHOUSE

CERAMICS WORKSHOP

COFFEE SHOP

COMMUNAL KITCHEN

DINING ROOM

GARDEN

LIBRARY

WOOD SHOP