A4A – Architecture for Ageing Lab

A4A – Architecture for Ageing Lab

A4A Lab is a research group in the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) at Politecnico di Milano. We conduct design-oriented research related to human spaces, with a special focus on inclusivity and adaptation of housing and urban spaces for older citizens, in areas including architectural design, urban design, sociology and other human sciences related to ageing.

Research topics

Design-oriented research on multigenerational spaces focusing on older people, namely:

  • Long-life housing
  • Ageing in place
  • Active ageing
  • Apartment retrofitting
  • Accessibility
  • Universal design
  • Multigenerational housing
  • Co-housing and co-living
  • Assisted living
  • Walkability
  • Age-friendly cities
  • Green neighborhood spaces
  • Climate change impact

Expertise

Research by design, translating into different architectural approaches possible answers to ageing needs. Urban mapping, accessibility and architectural barriers, new housing types for older people, retrofitting implications (architectural, social, economic).

Research networks and collabortations

  • Victor Regnier, USC Architecture, University of Southern California, USA
  • Alan Lewis, Manchester School of Architecture, University of Manchester, GB
  • Rui Ramos, FAUP School of Architecture, University of Porto, PT
  • Gisela Lameira, FAUP School of Architecture, University of Porto, PT
  • Anuradha Chatterjee, School of Design and Innovation, RV University, IN
  • Sabina Jallow, Department of Urban Studies, University of Malmo, SE
  • Jonas Andersson, Department of Urban Studies, University of Malmo, SE
  • Ann Petermans, Faculty of Architecture and Arts, University of Hasselt, BE

Selected research projects

  • ALLOGGIO PROTETTO VALLARDI, 2026 (ongoing), Fondazione Vallardi
  • PhD thesis “Architectural Wellbeing in Housing: Nine Design Lenses”, Rose-Ann Mishio, 2026, AUID Doctoral Program, DAStU, Politecnico di Milano, Fondazione Fratelli Confalonieri

Collaborators

Alarico Ruffino, Beatrice Meloni

Rose-Ann Mishio, Tianqin Chen, Joana Teixeira Pinho, Jingya Zhou, Hongshi Cao, Lan Ya, Tianjin University

Rong Yang, Mingzhi Yang, Madi Zholdasbekov, Peiwei Liang, Linna Li, Andrea St-Cyr

(Last updated: August 25, 2026)