Intentional Aging: A Contemplative Community-Based Approach to Urban Dwelling

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between intentional communities, dwelling, and the process of aging as a sociodemographic phenomenon within urban environments through the non-theistic spiritual tradition of Shambhala. Shambhala principles and approaches to household dwelling and contemplative space will be used to explore the design of a collective urban dwelling intended for an aging community. A new approach to ‘aging in place’ which explores the community’s unique relationship with the natural, social and cultural urban landscape of Halifax, Nova Scotia will be proposed. The investigation re-examines the current social, spiritual and architectural framework for aging, and suggests a Shambhalian approach to design as a means of revealing authentic, balanced dwelling environments within the community.