37 BULWER ST
Project Type : Renovation / Year : December 2023 / Client : A Couple in their 60s / Program : Residential Space, Cafe & Library / Site : 37 Bulwer St, Toronto, Canada
Introduction : The book "したい かくさ" by Hajime Nishio discusses the wandering of Alzheimer's patients in this manner: 'Among all Alzheimer's patients, the probability of dying from the disease itself is about 20%, and the probability of dying from accidents such as drowning, hypothermia, falls, or traffic accidents is about 30%. These accidents often occur because the patients cannot find their way home. Most Alzheimer's patients who die while wandering are found dead within 5 kilometers of their home. This implies that those who wandering die within their communities, unrecognized and unremembered by anyone, quietly passing away on the streets. From this understanding, the "37 Bulwer St Project" begins with the question of how a home can recognize its owner.
Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Room. © Yayoi Kusama/ Yayoi Kusama Studio, Inc, Courtesy Castellane Gallery, New York
Understanding Alzheimer / Concept Model : The world seen by those losing their memories may not be much different from the world envisioned by Yayoi Kusama. In a universe filled with red dots, Yayoi found redemption and solace by erasing her own existence. However, most people will feel the unbearable pain of an inevitable fate that their existence will be forgotten. Yet, ultimately, humans are beings who live on through being remembered by others, so there is no need to fear. We simply need to direct the memories of patients not towards silence but towards the homes and people who will remember them. Once we understand this subtle difference, we can finally say, "Your memories have not disappeared; they have come to me. I will continue to love you. So, it's okay if you don't remember."
1F - Cafe & Library
2F - Open Space & Table Sets
Design Strategy (1F) : The most terrifying aspect of Alzheimer’s is the fear of being forgotten by the patient, which fosters a sense of social isolation and accelerates the progression of the disease. Patients eventually lose their memories and may wander aimlessly, with 30% of them passing away within a 5km radius of their homes. This tragic statistic highlights that no one in the community remembers them, leading to an unfortunate and lonely death.
The most ideal solution to this issue would be for the home itself to possess intelligence. If a home could remember its inhabitants and hold them with care and love, the burden of the patient’s forgetfulness would be greatly alleviated. For this reason, I envisioned a home where the ground floor is opened to the community, allowing the house to develop a kind of intelligence. This design is deeply rooted in my own personal and family experiences.
My grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s, and despite numerous security measures, we could not prevent her from wandering the streets. However, it was always the small church community she cherished that helped us locate her. In this space, members of the community would naturally come to know the owner of the house, creating shared memories. This, in essence, becomes the home’s intelligence and its love—a living connection that bridges the individual and the community.
2F - Living Room
2F - Bedroom
2F - Washroom
BLUE PRINT
