Senior citizen center gets makeover
As an ode to the vital role of the elders in guiding the younger generations, interior design students recently renovated the parola-inspired senior citizen center of the Magsilay community in Pasil, Kalinga Province.
The project Awakening the Pride of the Olden Hope, the service-learning initiative of the talents from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde aimed to uplift the well-being and sense of inclusion of the elderly.
The budding designers transformed the 45-square-meter space into a sanctuary for socials, leisure activities, counseling and storage.
Adhering to Batas Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law, they ensured accessible and universal design throughout the center. Key elements included slip-resistant flooring, contrasting colors for wayfinding, and lever handles and grab rails for support.
Nature served as the general design consideration. Familiar elements were incorporated to foster a healing and calming environment, while local and raw materials were used to promote sustainability.
Sawali, a type of traditional woven-split flattened bamboo mat, served as a base for a two-set whiteboard partition for consultation and discussion. Old chapel pews made of solid wood were repurposed into benches and tables to offer a flexible space for conversations, coffee breaks and activities such as walis-making.
The students likewise combined textures with colors for tactile cues. Handcrafted by Filipino artisans, Machuca cement tiles with vibrant organic patterns were strategically placed on walls and floors of common areas for separation and wayfinders.
Red, a dominant shade in the native attire of the Magsilay and the traditional clay pots used in their dances, delineates the kitchen and banquette seats. It evokes vigor and boosts a dynamic atmosphere.
Cream and beige wall finishes, furniture, and soft furnishings emphasized warmth. Hues of blue were added to elicit serenity, while tints of yellow call for happiness and optimism. The touch of pink denotes compassion and comfort.
The team placed wall lamps on all four sides of the exteriors to create a physical manifestation of a guiding light. It likewise emphasized the mural on the facade, which encapsulated the life in Magsilay, from farming to their love for coffee.
