Co-ncrete

This thesis project explores the adaptive reuse of the iconic Brutalist Dundee College building, reimagining it as an innovative intergenerational living community. Addressing the UK's loneliness epidemic—where 9 million people report chronic loneliness—this project demonstrates how architectural intervention can forge meaningful social connections across generations.

The project transforms a pedagogical institution into a living laboratory for community building, where raw concrete becomes the foundation for human connection. Through careful spatial choreography and participatory design processes, Co-ncrete challenges conventional housing models and offers a radical alternative for aging-in-place while fostering cross-generational exchange.

Loneliness Crisis Statistics:

- 9 million UK residents experience chronic loneliness

- 43% of older adults feel lonely regularly

- Social isolation costs the UK economy £2.5 billion annually

- Intergenerational programs reduce loneliness by 68% in participating communities

The research establishes intergenerational living as both social necessity and architectural opportunity, positioning design as a catalyst for community resilience.

METHODOLOGY

Participatory Design Process

The project employed a comprehensive multi-phase methodology combining ethnographic research, participatory workshops, and iterative design development:

Community Interviews (Phase 1)

- 47 structured interviews with Dundee residents aged 22-89

- Focus groups exploring intergenerational preferences and concerns

- Spatial preference mapping exercises

- Cultural activity and routine documentation

Journey Mapping (Phase 2)

- Daily routine visualization for different age demographics

- Intersection point identification for natural social encounters

- Temporal programming analysis

- Accessibility and mobility pattern studies

Spatial Zoning (Phase 3)

- Functional requirement analysis

- Privacy gradient development

- Acoustic zoning for different activities

- Natural light optimization studies

3D Modeling and Visualization (Phase 4)

- Detailed architectural modeling

- Virtual reality user experience testing

- Material and lighting simulation

- Accessibility compliance verification

Brutalism and Cultural Memory

The project draws profound inspiration from Latvia's Brutalist heritage, connecting personal narrative with architectural theory. Latvian Brutalism, characterized by monumental concrete structures built during the Soviet era, represents both institutional power and community aspiration. This cultural connection informs the design's approach to material honesty and social programming.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Connections to Latvian Brutalism

My personal relationship with Brutalist architecture stems from childhood memories of Riga's Soviet-era housing estates. These monolithic structures, initially symbols of institutional control, reveal unexpected intimacies in their brutalist honesty. The texture of concrete, weathered by Baltic winters, tells stories of resilience and adaptation—qualities essential to this project's vision.

This cultural lens informs Co-ncrete's approach to materiality and community. Like Latvian housing estates that foster unexpected social bonds through shared experiences, the Dundee College transformation seeks to activate dormant social potential within institutional architecture.

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Innovative Corridor Systems

The design's most revolutionary element transforms traditional institutional corridors into "Living Streets"—dynamic social infrastructure that facilitates organic intergenerational encounters. These corridors feature:

- Varied ceiling heights creating intimate and communal zone

- Integrated seating alcoves with different privacy levels

- Flexible partition systems allowing spatial adaptation

- Natural light courts punctuating circulation routes

- Activity-based lighting supporting different temporal uses

Outdoor Schematics Integration

The outdoor spaces extend interior social programming through:

- Intergenerational gardens with accessible raised beds

- Multi-generational play areas combining traditional and innovative equipment

- Weather-protected social terraces

- Community workshop pavilions

- Contemplative spaces reflecting Brutalist material honesty

Participatory Model Tasks Results

83% of workshop participants successfully identified preferred social interaction zones through physical modeling exercises. Key findings:

- Participants aged 65+ preferred transitional spaces with visual connections to activity

- Younger residents (25-45) favored flexible spaces supporting multiple uses

- All age groups valued access to natural light and outdoor connections

- Acoustic privacy emerged as critical for successful intergenerational living

"Architecture has its own realm. It has a special physical relationship with life. I do not think of it primarily as either a message or a symbol, but as an envelope and

background for life which goes on in and around it."

Co-ncrete embodies this philosophy, creating architecture that serves as both envelope and catalyst for intergenerational community life.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Real Social Outcomes

The participatory design process generated measurable community engagement:

Quantitative Results:

- 127 community members participated across 8 workshops

- 94% reported increased awareness of intergenerational housing benefits

- 76% expressed interest in co-housing opportunities

- 68% identified specific spatial preferences through design exercises

Qualitative Insights:

"Architecture isn't just about buildings—it's about creating conditions for human flourishing." - Workshop participant, age 72

"I never considered living with older people, but this design makes it feel natural, not forced." - Workshop participant, age 28

The project demonstrates that participatory design processes can bridge generational divides while informing architectural solutions.