ID 40ResidentialDesignUniversal DesignUniversal Design The average American population is aging. 13% of Americans are over 65. Addressing the needs of this new demographic is oneof the fastest growing trends in the design/buildindustry. During the next decade, Universal Design willtransform: Real estate Design/build approaches Construction standardsVaried Approaches: A simple definition means “finding opportunities forhelping every client live better”… Designing for the needs of the elderly. Providing friendlier environments for children. Universal Design addresses the concept of “agingin place”. To acknowledge that we will all having changing needsthroughout our lives.Design Challenge: Consider the needs of everyone in the home. Examinethe variety of ways each person will use the space.Universal DesignPrinciples: The goal of Universal Design is to allow people tolive better in their personal environments. Universal Design removes the social stigmaassociated with physical impairment and aging. There is a wealth of attractive, ADA-compliant homeproducts available today. Most design solutions are not expensive. There are seven basic principles of UniversalDesign.Principle One: EQUITABLE USE The design of the building/space shouldmake it equally usable by everyone. Provide the same identical means of use for allusers wherever possible. Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users. Provide the same level of privacy, security andsafety to all users. Create a design appealing to all users.Principle Two: FLEXIBLE USE The design accommodates a wide range ifindividual preferences and abilities: Provide flexibility so the space can be usable in anunanticipated manner. Accommodate both left and right handed access/use. Provide adaptability to the client’s pace. Help increase the client’s accuracy and precision.Principle Three: INTUITIVE USE Everyone in the building/space should understandthe purpose of each design feature and how touse it. Regardless of the client’s experience, knowledge,language skills, and/or current concentration level. Eliminate unnecessary complexity. Usage should be consistent with the expectations andintuition of all users.Principle Four:PERCEPTIBLE INFORMATION The building/space communicates all necessaryinformation to the client, regardless of theirsensory abilities. Present a variety of communication modes (written,pictorial, tactile, verbal). Provide contrast between essential information and itssurroundings. Maximize legibility of essential information.Principle Five:TOLERANCE FOR ERROR Eliminate, isolate, or shield any designfeatures that could prove hazardous throughaccidental or unintended actions. Provide warning features as clients approachhazardous areas. Provide fail safe features.Principle Six:LOW PHYSICAL EFFORT Provide design features that require little or nophysical force to use. Allow the client to maintain a neutral body position. Minimize repetitive actions. Minimize sustained physical effort. Provide a smooth travel surface with minimal slope.Principle Seven:ADEQUATE SPACE FORAPPROACH AND USE. Appropriate size and space is provided forapproach, reach, manipulation, and useregardless of body size, posture, or mobility. Provide clear lines of sight for both seated and/orstanding users. Accommodate variations in hand and grip size. Make reach to all design features comfortable for allusers. Provide a clear path of travel.Basic Considerations: Observe the client’s lifestyle: Notice physical abilities as well as limitations. Place yourself in the client’s place and envisionactivities that will allow feelings of independence. Foster a positive tone for the environment. Question the client about what works best. Investigate alternatives. Educate clients about usability and accessibility. Use as many motorized, remote-controlled,motion detector products as possible.Basic Considerations: Look beyond industry standards. Standards/codes should be viewed as minimumrequirements and not rote applications. Look beyond the ordinary. Keep searching for hidden opportunities, new products. Understand that clients need environments thatthey can use. Pay special attention to kitchen and bath designs.Basic Considerations: Plan closets directly above each other in multi-storyhouses. These areas could house an elevator or chair-lift if needed at a laterdate. Design step-less entries, wide doorways, and large doorsto accommodate wheelchair usage. Build platforms around bathtubs to provide easier access. All bathroom walls should have blocking to support grabbars.General Space Planning: Doorways must have a 32” minimum “clear width” opening. Do not specify a door narrower than 2’-10”. Include extra space next to the latch side of the door. A seated person remains clear of the door swing. This area should be 18” to 24” wide and 48” to 60” deep. Hallway widths must be a minimum of 3’-6” wide. This provides room for the 90 degree turning radius of thewheelchair.Emergency Egress: Always design emergency egress windowsin the main bedroom areas. These will become emergency exits in case of fire, etc. For a seated person to use this exit, the window mustbe: 18” minimum to 24” maximum a.f.f. At least 30” wide.This allows safety personnel to reach in and assist the disabled personduring the emergency...General Kitchen Planning: We will cover Kitchen and Bath design laterin the semester. Here are a few basic considerations to helpyou pre-plan your design. REMEMBER: Your design goal is to helpyour client maintain a high quality of life andto keep living as independently as possible.Kitchen Planning: Consider proxemics in your design. In a wheelchair, the maximum reachable height is 54”. The maximum horizontal reach is 44”. Countertops should be no higher than 30” to 34”. NKBA recommends a countertop height between 28” to38” a.f.f. Always provide some standard height counters toaccommodate all the cooks in the home. Motor-driven, adjustable counters are available. This may be a smart investment for sink and cooktopareas with multiple users.Kitchen Planning: Consider the “working triangle” in the kitchen. The imaginary line from the center of