| Title |
Community Spaces Characteristics and Social Interaction Potential in Senior Welfare Housing |
| Authors |
조현경(Cho, Hyun Kyung) ; 성주은(Sung, Jooeun) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.5.47 |
| Keywords |
Senior Housing; Community Space; Social Interaction; Openness; Incidental Interaction; Spatial Interface; Visibility Graph Analysis |
| Abstract |
As societies age, preventing social isolation among older adults has become an increasingly important issue, emphasizing the need for
residential environments that encourage everyday social encounters. This study examines how the physical characteristics of community spaces
in senior welfare housing relate to the potential for social interaction, with a focus on early-stage social engagement. Five senior welfare
housing projects completed between 2015 and 2025 were analyzed using DepthmapX visibility graph analysis (VGA) under two conditions:
circulation-based door-opening conditions and visual-based conditions considering doors and windows. Connectivity, visual integration, and
through-vision were used to identify spatial locations with high interaction potential where movement and visibility intersect. In addition,
spatial interfaces, including solid walls, glazing, glass doors, soft partitions, and folding doors, were examined in terms of permeability and
adjustability, which may influence behavioral access. The findings indicate that the potential for indirect and incidental interaction is
associated less with isolated open spaces than with comprehensive spatial configurations, including circulation intersections, entrances, corners,
and view-expanding elements such as sunken gardens and atria. Combinations of solid, varied, and soft boundaries, together with
stay-supporting programs, may also facilitate transitions from observation to conversation. Overall, community spaces can be understood as a
sequence of everyday settings where social interaction is more likely to occur, offering spatial planning principles for residential environments
designed for later life. |