SENIOR LOOP
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT PLANNING AND DESIGN
SENIOR LOOP Age-Friendly Waterfront Community Design
Context
Sited along the waterfront of Kunshan, this project reimagines the residential model for an ageing society. Moving beyond traditional isolated senior housing, the proposal utilises a continuous 'Loop' strategy to stitch together diverse living units, service amenities, and the natural river landscape into a cohesive, vibrant community.
Design Strategy: The Knots System
The circulation is defined by a 'Knots System'—a series of programmed community centers distributed along the loop. These nodes cater to the full spectrum of aging needs:
- Active Living: Social and recreational hubs for independent seniors.
- Care Support: Medical and assisted living facilities for residents requiring support. This distributed network ensures that essential services are always within walking distance, fostering a sense of safety and belonging.
Morphology & Landscape
The master plan employs a hierarchical density strategy. High-rise residential towers are anchored in the central zone to optimize capacity and views, while low-rise perimeter blocks line the loop to create intimate, human-scale neighborhood spaces. This configuration transitions gradually from the urban fabric to the riparian edge, fully integrating the waterfront ecology into the daily lives of the residents.
