Lora Barber

Drawn to the technical and creative aspects of interior design, Lora is a Humber Bachelor of Interior Design graduate with experience in commercial design in workplace, healthcare, and education projects. With a background in computer-aided design, she is skilled in several software programs and has an eye for detail. For her senior thesis project, Lora opted to research and design senior cohousing informed by place attachment design principles.

Contact

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Project Overview

Alton Mill Men’s Senior Cohousing is an evidence-based and adaptive reuse design project proposed to repurpose the historic Beaver Knitting Mill site at 1402 Queen Street, Alton, Ontario, into a cohousing community for senior widowed men. This project addresses current gaps in local senior cohousing communities that are exclusive to female or married seniors and is dedicated to promoting safety, socialization, independence and autonomy to support overall user well-being.

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Parti Diagrams

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Theoretical Framework of Person-Environment Processes in Later Life

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Tripartite Model of Place Attachment Theory

Concept/Design Process

The design concept is inspired by the shared experiences of loss and aging of residents living within the cohousing community and the importance of memory in mourning loss and creating a sense of place.

Linear repetitive spatial qualities imitate moments in time that comprise memory, like events on a timeline, while contrasting unravelling design elements and textiles selected from the building's history demonstrate how memories develop, change, and fade over time. By integrating place attachment theory principles, the design can strengthen the connection between person and place, creating a home-like space. Place attachment theory is essential for developing autonomy, belonging, and identity for seniors.