ABSTRACT

‘Subjective wellbeing’ relates to more subjective parameters regarding wellbeing, where psychological parameters are at stake, which can at least in part be considered as possible ‘consequences’ of the environment wherein one resides. Looking at the application of research by design for our research purposes, it is clear that this can bring valuable insights in the understanding of wellbeing of older people and the contribution of architecture and interior architecture in this respect. At the start of the design studio, every group received the plans of the location, as well as a short theoretical introduction on design for wellbeing and challenges regarding housing for older people in the Belgian housing landscape. The selection of the four projects demonstrates what kind of diverse results a research by design approach in a first bachelor design studio can bring forth, focusing on ageing in place, lifelong living and the contribution that architecture and interior architecture can have in this respect.