Housing for the aging population

Abstract

Based on the concept of 'aging in place,' design of houses in the past years are explored. Design features in the built environment become barriers for aging people with functional limitations. Initially, houses were designed according to the required needs of the user with the physical limitations. Later, adaptable house design was introduced that allows the house to meet the specific needs of the user, while maintaining the appearance of the house until more obvious accessibility features are needed. Today, 'design for all' is recognised as a tool for ensuring physical accessibility for aging people. The holistic perspective embedded in the universal design theory should be systematically and consistently developed during the design process.

Achieving Inclusion in Public Spaces: A Shopping Mall Case Study

“…However, Nicolle et al (2003) added, "Designers are under a great deal of time pressure: if knowledge is not presented in a usable format, it will be either discarded or ignored." Therefore, although most designers are aware of universal design, problems appear in the integration of theories and guidelines into design practice (Demirkan, 2007).…”

An interdisciplinary heuristic evaluation method for universal building design

“…However, Nicolle et al (2003, p. 100) added, ''Designers are under a great deal of time pressure if knowledge is not presented in a usable format, it will be either discarded or ignored''. Therefore, although most designers are aware of universal design, problems appear in the integration of theories and guidelines into design practice (Demirkan, 2007).…”

“…Achieving a universal design performance within a built environment is also highly correlated with an overall consideration of a range of environmental design concerns, such as ergonomics guidelines, accessibility standards, building codes, and urban planning specifications (Afacan, 2008;Canadian Human Rights Commission, 2006;Clarkson et al, 2007;Demirkan, 2007;Ostroff, 2001;. The challenge of universal design is to fully understand these criteria and to give adequate focus to each of them.…”

Setting The Key Issues And A Prioritization Strategy For Designing Sustainable Interior Environments

“…Ventilation and daylight is dealt under indoor air quality parameters in sustainable design, because humidity and temperature have a considerable impact on perception of indoor air quality (Fang, Clausen and Fanger, 1998). Therefore, ventilation is an umbrella including thermal and health requirements of the occupants (Brown, 1997), While providing sustainable interior air quality, designers should be aware of the needs of diversified populations (Demirkan, 2007). The thermal, visual, acoustical and ergonomic comfort levels of people with physical, visual and/or hearing impairments, as well as the elderly, adults and children are different (Demirbilek and Demirkan, 2004).…”