Abstract
This article details a study presenting behavioral responses of elderly users regarding spatial configurations within an elderly care institution, using the “Space Syntax Method” within the framework of ”Environment Behavior Studies”. The case study reveals a variance of both adaptive and maladaptive behavioral responses towards spatial configurations regarding the elderly and their residential environment. A linear configuration is seen at the Maltepe Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Institution where behavioral responses are emphasized by analyses of how the design of elderly care institution corresponds directly with the spatial behaviors of elderly users’ overtime, utilizing the Observation Method. The linear configured elderly care institution shows an increase in behavioral responses in low level interaction (socio-fugal) areas whereas a decrease is seen in highly social interaction (socio-pedal) areas. Two different syntactic analyses are made with the inclusion of the garden area and without demonstrating the visual relationship with outer space. In doing such, it can be seen that both affective and behavioral needs of this particular age group into the design of elderly care institutions are a relevant parameter to be included as a conceptual framework within the architectural design process.
