Architectural organization of senior centers

This article identifies that social service institutions have a specific functional organization that significantly differs from traditional public buildings. The main objective of the study was to analyze the existing design practices of such institutions worldwide and identify patterns in the organization of their functional zones and spaces. The research was based on an analysis of 58 senior centers in different countries, classified by size and structural characteristics, allowing for a universal perspective on the subject. Five main categories of institutions were distinguished: extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. The most common were medium-sized facilities, whose spatial formation is usually structured around a gallery, corridor, or atrium. As a result of the analysis, four main functional blocks of senior centers buildings were identified: administrative, food service, multifunctional, and communication-technical. The study also revealed specific features of the spatial organization of these institutions, including typological scenarios for room placement. Communication and blocking matrices were developed, enabling the identification of key patterns in their interconnections. Beyond theoretical analysis, the article proposes an algorithmic approach to optimizing spatial solutions, which can be implemented using artificial intelligence. The application of the matrix method will enhance the efficiency of social facility design by simplifying the selection of optimal planning schemes. This, in turn, will significantly facilitate the work of architects, ensuring the automated generation of design solutions that align with modern trends in social architecture. The findings may serve as a foundation for developing new typological models of territorial centers that meet contemporary architectural environment requirements for the elderly and individuals in need of social support. Further research may focus on improving algorithmic models and testing their effectiveness in real-world conditions.