Promoting Healthy Aging Through Transportable Accessory Dwelling Unit Communities

Abstract

Due to Hawai’i’s aging population, high cost of living, housing shortage, and limited public transportation, aging in Hawai’i can be challenging. The sprawling suburban neighborhoods commonly found throughout Oahu can lead to the social and physical isolation of many elderly individuals. Isolation which can possibly lead to mental stress with anxiety and depression, can also have negative impacts on physical health. The purpose of this dissertation is to create home and community environments that promote healthy aging. The housing prototype that was explored is an accessory dwelling unit, (ADU), that can be placed on a single-family home lot, or transported to a planned community site comprised of similar ADU units. The uniqueness of this ADU home, is that it can be moved intact, thus allowing the occupant to move locations, yet remain in the same home surroundings. The relocation of the ADU to the planned community will allow the occupant more opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, horticultural therapy, and access to nearby amenities. Therapeutic healthy aging activities are also promoted within the interior of the units through adaptable furniture pieces. Precedent studies of adaptable interior environments, transportable homes, and Metabolic architecture were analyzed for their application to the design of this housing prototype. This dissertation is a new housing model for aging in Hawai’i.