With the growing number of seniors in the Netherlands and the ongoing reform of their accommodation since 2015, finding new housing forms for this target group is crucial in improving their quality of life as well as solving the housing crisis. Currently, seniors in the Netherlands face multiple imminent challenges, like the rapidly increasing cost of care in the country, growing issues of loneliness and the housing mismatch for the target group, which often lives in way too large housing for their needs and capabilities. In order to accommodate for this problems, clustered housing forms, or co-housing, have become an emerging option throughout Europe, while for the senior target group there has been little focus on it. In this research, litera- ture as well as user research will be utilized in order to confirm the potential for the target group as well as get insights on the actual users wishes and experiences with community based housing. As the literature research showed, clustered housing promises potential in reducing issues such as loneli- ness and lack activity in the senior target group, as well as being able to provide housing attractive for the target group to move out of their previous homes. Regarding the health of the users the literature showed the importance of access to greenery and views, highlighting the importance of the right location for their accommodation. Further, the user research highlighted the importance of the community to the users, and the ability to find social interaction whenever they want, which is not the case living in their previous family homes. Further, the users confirmed the importance of greenery to their living quality and the ability to personalize they homes. In conclusion, clustered housing proved to be a promising solution for the target group, if its done with attention to the community and their wishes.

The Dementia Art Academy is an integral part of the expansion of the TU Delft and is situated next to the new Delft Campus train station on Tanthofdreef. The design serves as a cultural hub for the neighborhood where various art forms, students, artists, but above all, individuals with dementia come together within one building. The design stands out as a pioneer in contemporary dementia care. The academy offers respite care, including guest rooms for individuals with dementia, providing temporary relief for caregivers at home, ultimately enabling those with dementia to remain living at home longer. Its design pushes the boundaries of dementia care by adopting a fresh approach in its architectural layout. Throughout the day, individuals are free to roam the grounds and move wherever they please, without constraints on their freedom in the form of fences or locks. The design facilitates this concept with the use of rounded shapes in its interior and exterior, guiding the way and minimizing the risk of getting lost. The building provides a warm inner world contrasted against a harsh outside world, encouraging its visitors to linger within the complex and is distinguished by its recognizable red color, making it easily recognizable in its urban setting. The academy features an auditorium, dance studios, music rooms, lecture halls, an exhibition space, and a cinema. Shared artistic facilities, including art forms like visual arts, music, dance, and gardening, where the guests can participate in daily activities, are spread across the ground floor and 1st floor. Through a long organic corridor traversing the building, the various art forms are interconnected, with art serving as a guiding (red) thread throughout the structure. The complex is characterized by a green inner courtyard featuring a centrally covered stage, vegetable gardens, a terrace, and various organic pathways.The academy encourages independance, autonomy and improves the overall well-being of people suffering from dementia. It is a place where individuals with dementia are integrated into society and treated as ordinary people, where students and individuals with dementia can learn from and with each other.

The aim of the research is to create architectural design guidelines for a housing facility including its immediate surroundings for adults with a Mild Intellectual Disability (MID). The potential to combine housing with additional neighbourhood facilities stimulating social interaction is taken into account to reduce loneliness and segregation from society and support them in their everyday life to make them more satisfied in the growing urban landscape. Observations and semi-structured interviews are done about typology & form, spatial organisation, outdoor surroundings, embedding, facilities, privacy, control/influence on the environment and social interaction in order to compare three different housing facilities as case studies. The research concludes that first of all the living environment of adults with an MID must be clear and structured. Secondly, overstimulation needs to be avoided and they must have the opportunity to connect with others. This means there should be a balance between a lively and calm living environment. If these preconditions are met, adults with an MID are able grow into their independence when the distance to care is gradually placed further away within the familiarity of their neighbourhood.