Third Age Learning Center (3ALC)

Following a trend across much of the developed world, the population of Malaysia is growing, and ageing and more people are living in urban areas. However, although there is greater indication that the ageing of the population is a global phenomenon which brings forward a multitude of obstacles regarding socio-economic growth, industries related to architecture and the built environment have yet to catch up with and adapt to the aging population's changing needs and their desire to continue ageing in place to remain active in their communities.     

Therefore, this project aims to fulfil the need for a more comprehensive solution to provide better facilities that cater to the current active aging population allowing them to age healthily and successfully while maintaining their presence in the community. Whereby, the approach will be to introduce a new typology of aging facility in Malaysia which prioritises preventive wellness over care to prolong the physical and cognitive health of the aging such that they can remain active in society. This project will thus benefit to fulfill the aspirations of the aging community to have a sense of purpose in later life and allow them to age in place and contribute to the community. However, competitors for this project do exist in the form of existing elder care facilities (elder homes, retirement villages, etc) as they are not as comprehensive as what is being offered and somehow promote isolation over social inclusion.