Thesis
Name
Lu Liu
Advised by:
Nina Baird
Zekun Li (Suzy)
Sarah Rafson
Studio Coordinated By Heather Bizon and Sarah Rafson
Themes: Indoor environment for aging

Abstract
Aging is one of the world's challenges. Asia’s aging is more serious than in Europe and North America, and China's aging population is developing at the fastest pace. Obviously, China is less experienced than countries that have entered the “Aged” and “Super Aged”. The country has focused on the labor market system, the retirement system, and the old-age insurance system, thus ignoring the housing quality of the elderly. Consequently, my thesis is going to focus on the seniors HEATHLY problem affected by the indoor environment which includes ENVELOPE and daylighting.
The project is located in Baiwanzhuang neighborhoods, Xincheng District, Beijing China. This renovation not only preserves the historical and cultural heritage but also improves the housing quality of the urban eldely, saves COSTS for families, and reduces the economic and life pressure of the only child.
Aging is one of the world's challenges. Asia’s aging is more serious than in Europe and North America, and China's aging population is developing at the fastest pace. Obviously, China is less experienced than countries that have entered the “Aged” and “Super Aged”. The country has focused on the labor market system, the retirement system, and the old-age insurance system, thus ignoring the housing quality of the elderly. Consequently, my thesis is going to focus on the seniors HEATHLY problem affected by the indoor environment which includes ENVELOPE and daylighting.
The project is located in Baiwanzhuang neighborhoods, Xincheng District, Beijing China. This renovation not only preserves the historical and cultural heritage but also improves the housing quality of the urban eldely, saves COSTS for families, and reduces the economic and life pressure of the only child.




China country assessment report on ageing and health, 2016. www.who.int.
ZHU Xiao, FAN Wen-ting. Income Poverty of Chinese Elderly and Influencing Factors——Based on 2014 CLASS[J]. BeiJing Shehuikexue 2017, (1): 90-99. DOI:10.13262/j.bjsshkxy.bjshkx.170110.
Elderly Status Quo


The Importance of Cost to the Elderly
- Good Envelope can keep the Elderly Healthy
It was found that low temperature increased the heart rate and blood pressure of the elderly, which is undoubtedly the most important thermal comfort for seniors who stay indoors for a long time.
- Good Daylighting can keep the Elderly Healthy
Good Windows not only provides thermal insulation and thermal comfort but also the natural landscape can ease people’s tension and pressure, reduce the negative emotions, restore natural light body contact less senior sleep quality is low, most sedentary, negative behavior more easily the elderly often suffer from various diseases of old age. Especially for the eldAerly with mobility problems, natural light is the most convenient way to access nature.

︎Why Renovation?
- Historical Value


Baiwanzhuang, 2015 (Photo by Wang Yuhu)
- Low-rise High-density
The lower floors provide mobility for the elderly. Although high density brings congestion, it reduces the feeling of loneliness for the elderly.

- Supporting Facilities and Virescence

︎Chen Area
Baiwanzhang is composed of 9 zones, and I am carrying out a pilot study in the Chen area indicated here. Because the phenomenon of ad-hoc, private construction is serious in this zone, the density of buildings is high there. In this diagram, the image shows that the space between buildings is narrow, decreasing walkability and the possible range of outdoor activity.


Multipe Generational Unit
There are four different apartment types in the 35 buildings in the Chen area. Their maximum area is no more than 90 square meters, and the minimum area is only 60 square meters.







During the early period of New China, the brick-concrete structure is the main construction form of residence, which means that most of them are load-bearing walls, only a small part is not. Based on limited renovation, I added a separate restroom to Multiple generational families, which shortened the distance for the elderly to go to the restroom and provided more space for wheelchair access.
There are two different types of rooms in the Chen area, one with a closed balcony and the other with a semi-open balcony. Their respective directions are one facing west and the other facing north.


Before After

︎ Envelope
The current structure of the building


Before After

︎ Daylighting
The purpose of this renovation is to increase natural light, thermal insulation and help elderly saving cost without changing the size of the windows.
Solution: Replace the glass to achieve maximum thermal insulation and daylighting. (Emphasis on U-value and TVIS); Replace cost-effective glass.




After the renovation, although the area of some paces was reduced due to reconstruction, the Spatial Daylight Autonomy and Annual Sunlight Exposure was increased. I simulate different kinds of glass in the renovation room. These different glass materials will also change SDA and ASE, and also bring different energy and comfort. To save the expense of the elderly, I first eliminated triple-pane glass. Because it is expensive. By comparing single pane glass with double-pane glass, Single pane glass has better SDA and better price, but it will lose some thermal comfort. After comparison, the glass of the third simulation saves costs and more thermal comfort.



More Details To Come!