Building Design Processes for Aging in Place
Designing for a Client is a little more challenging than building something for yourself. You have to consider all your customers needs and wants and put it all together in an organized plan. You don't have to start from nothing to create a first attempt to solve the needs and wants of your client. Frank Gehry used another architects design and plan as a starting point for his high rise office building in New York. He added his artistic touch of some waves and ripples in the face of the exterior walls. It's OK to start with someone else's plan and build on them. Copyrights do not apply in most cases. Here a few places to get started if you need a starting place.
RESIDENTIAL: COMMERCIAL (Not a house, for example, a business, ...):
RESIDENTIAL: COMMERCIAL (Not a house, for example, a business, ...):
Teaching By Design : Frank Lloyd Wright Lessons
Use the the NAHB checklist for Aging in Place for designing homes that will require less renovations & modifications for older residents.
Simple Steps to begin a design: |
Click here for the National Association of Home Builders fully developed plan ideas for Aging in Place to build with future needs in mind.-->NAHB Aging in Place -->Article on Aging together (Nurse Douthitt's house) See Checklist/Highlights below: By Dan Bawden, CAPS, CGR, GMB Name one thing you’ve been doing since you were born. I’ve got one: getting older! In response to the huge wave of baby boomers starting to retire, all sorts of products and services are popping up catering to the 50-and-over crowd. However, none of them hits as close to home as the nationally acclaimed CAPS program. CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. It is a construction credential that has builders, architects, remodelers, designers and even occupational therapists buzzing. Far beyond using universal design ideas, aging-in-place (a.k.a independent living) principles are sweeping changes designed to custom-fit your home to you and your family as time goes by. CAPS design takes your current and future circumstances into consideration. CAPS design principles focus on elegant, aesthetically enriching, barrier-free environments. These are changes that can actually increase the value of your home, according to some realtors. What is aging-in-place exactly? If you are like the majority of Americans you want to continue living at home in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. Aging-in-place means living in your home safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level. It addresses the need to remodel existing homes and design new homes, so that people can age in place and not have to move to assisted-living facilities as they age. Since the vast majority of homes we live in are not well designed for this, a movement in residential construction has sprung up to meet this new consumer demand. Boomers, who are 77 million strong and make up 28% of the U.S. population, are quickly catching onto this trend. The economics of aging-in-place modifications are a no-brainer. Moving to a typical assisted-living facility can cost up to $60,000 annually. The cost to widen the bathroom door, put in safety bars, and add a roll-in shower would typically cost about $6,000 to $8,000, but doing so is a one-time expense, not a yearly drain on your finances. In addition to the economics, consider the psychological impact of being uprooted from your community, familiar rituals, independence and privacy. The affordability of aging-in-place remodeling is made enhanced by the fact that medically necessary changes (such as wider doorways or a roll-in shower) are tax deductible if backed up by a letter from your doctor. Too early to think this applies to you? Consider how many folks struggle with bouts of arthritis at an early age. If you fell and broke a leg, how easy would it be to get up and downstairs in your house? Perhaps you have aging parent or relative who is facing these challenges who may need to move in with you. Construction and design professionals are taking advantage of the CAPS training across the nation. This designation is taught through the National Association of Home Builders in collaboration with AARP. CAPS connects responsible professionals with home owners who need these services on an ever-increasing basis. CAPS is a nationwide initiative and all active CAPS designees can be found in the Professionals with Home Building Designations directory. Look for the CAPS credential as a reliable way to identify professionals to modify your home or build a new one that is designed for a lifespan. CAPS graduates receive training about the technical/construction aspects and learn about the unique aspects of working with older Americans. They must also take formal business training, maintain their credential through continuing education and even must subscribe to a Code of Ethics. What kind of changes are we talking about?A host of things! The overall goal is to make the home safer, with less maintenance and more barrier-free. Typical changes include the following: Getting safely and securely into and out of the house. For example,
|
Architectural Design Process
|
CHECKLIST:
Have you ever wanted a quick reference for aging-in-place issues? Are you wondering how to incorporate some aesthetically pleasing designs into your projects? If so, the Aging-In-Place Design Checklist might be suited to your needs.
The checklist below contains features you may want to consider for your next new construction or renovation project. It also provides a quick reference for various aging-in-place issues. Because this list is not comprehensive, it’s best to also consult with a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.
Exterior
Counters
Source: Home Innovation Research Labs
Have you ever wanted a quick reference for aging-in-place issues? Are you wondering how to incorporate some aesthetically pleasing designs into your projects? If so, the Aging-In-Place Design Checklist might be suited to your needs.
The checklist below contains features you may want to consider for your next new construction or renovation project. It also provides a quick reference for various aging-in-place issues. Because this list is not comprehensive, it’s best to also consult with a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.
Exterior
- Low-maintenance exterior (vinyl, brick)
- Low-maintenance shrubs and plants
- Deck, patio, or balcony surfaces are no more than a half inch below interior floor level if made of wood
- Main living on a single story, including full bath
- No steps between rooms/areas on the same level
- 5-foot by 5-foot clear/turn space in living area, kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom
- Minimum of 36-inches wide, wider preferred
- Well lit
- Accessible path of travel to the home
- At least one no-step entry with a cover
- Sensor light at exterior no-step entry focusing on the front-door lock
- There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
- Non-slip flooring in foyer
- Entry door sidelight or high/low peep hole viewer; sidelight should provide both privacy and safety
- Doorbell in accessible location
- Surface to place packages on when opening door
- Flush preferable
- Exterior maximum of a half inch beveled
- Interior maximum of a quarter inch
- There needs to be 32-inches of clear width, which requires a 36-inch door
- Levered door hardware
- Plenty of windows for natural light
- Lowered windows or taller windows with lower sill height
- Low maintenance exterior and interior finishes
- Easy to operate hardware
- Covered carports and boarding spaces
- Wider than average carports to accommodate lifts on vans
- Door heights may need to be nine feet to accommodate some raised roof vans
- Five-foot minimum access aisle between accessible van and car in garage
- If code requires floor to be several inches below entrance to house for fume protection, can slope entire floor from front to back to eliminate need for ramp or step
- Ramp to doorway, if needed
- Handrail, if steps
- Lever handles or pedal-controlled
- Thermostatic or anti-scald controls
- Pressure balanced faucets
Counters
- Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
- Upper wall cabinetry three inches lower than conventional height
- Accented stripes on edge of countertops to provide visual orientation to the workspace
- Counter space for dish landing adjacent to or opposite all appliances
- Base cabinet with roll out trays and lazy susans
- Pull-down shelving
- Glass-front cabinet doors
- Open shelving for easy access to frequently used items
- Easy to read controls
- Washing machine and dryer raised 12-15 inches above floor
- Front loading laundry machines
- Microwave oven at counter height or in wall
- Side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
- Side-swing or wall oven
- Raised dishwasher with push-button controls
- Electric cook top with level burners for safety in transferring between the burners, front controls and downdraft feature to pull heat away from user; light to indicate when surface is hot
- 30-inch by 48-inch clear space at appliances or 60-inch diameter clear space for turns
- Multi-level work areas to accommodate cooks of different heights
- Open under-counter seated work areas
- Placement of task lighting in appropriate work areas
- Loop handles for easy grip and pull
- Pull-out spray faucet; levered handles
- In multi-story homes, laundry chute or laundry facilities in master bedroom
- Wall support and provision for adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base cabinets
- Contrasting color edge border at countertops
- At least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
- Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat, and toilet for installation of grab bars to support 250-300 pounds
- If stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curbless and minimum of 36-inches wide
- Bathtub - lower for easier access
- Fold down seat in the shower
- Adjustable/handheld showerheads, 6-foot hose
- Tub/shower controls offset from center
- Shower stall with built-in antibacterial protection
- Light in shower stall
- Toilet two and half inches higher than standard toilet (17-19 inches) or height-adjustable
- Design of the toilet paper holder allows rolls to be changed with one hand
- Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from pipes
- Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and shower
- Adequate hand rails on both sides of stairway, one and a quarter inch diameter
- Increased visibility of stairs through contrast strip on top and bottom stairs, color contrast between treads and risers on stairs and use of lighting
- Multi-story homes may provide either pre-framed shaft (i.e., stacked closets) for future elevator, or stairway width must be minimum of four feet to allow space for lift
- Residential elevator or lift
- Slope no greater than one inch rise for each 12-inches in length, adequate handrails
- Five-foot landing provided at entrance
- Two-inch curbs for safety
- Adjustable closet rods and shelves
- Lighting in closets
- Easy open doors that do not obstruct access
- Light switches by each entrance to halls and rooms
- Light receptacles with at least two bulbs in vital places (exits, bathroom)
- Light switches, thermostats, and other environmental controls placed in accessible locations no higher than 48 inches from floor
- Electrical outlets 15-inches on center from floor; may need to be closer than 12-feet apart
- Clear access space of 30-inches by 48-inches in front of switches and controls
- Rocker or touch light switches
- Audible and visual strobe light system to indicate when the doorbell, telephone or smoke or CO2 detectors have been activated
- High-tech security/intercom system that can be monitored, with the heating, air conditioning and lighting, from any TV in the house
- Easy-to-see and read thermostats
- Pre-programmed thermostats
- Flashing porch light or 911 switch
- Direct wired to police, fire and EMS (as option)
- Home wired for security
- Home wired for computers
- Smooth, non-glare, slip-resistant surfaces, interior and exterior
- If carpeted, use low (less than a half inch high pile) density, with firm pad
- Color/texture contrast to indicate change in surface levels
- HVAC should be designed so filters are easily accessible
- Energy-efficient units
- Windows that can be opened for cross ventilation, fresh air
- In-line framing with two by six studs spaced 24-inches on center
- Air-barrier installation and sealing of duct work with mastic
- Reduced-size air conditioning units with gas furnaces
- Mechanical fresh air ventilation, installation of air returns in all bedrooms and use of carbon monoxide detectors
- Installation of energy efficient windows with Low-E glass
- Easy to clean surfaces
- Central vacuum
- Built-in pet feeding system
- Built-in recycling system
- Video phones
- Intercom system
- Separate apartment for rental income or future caregiver
- Flex room that can used as a nursery or playroom when the children are young and as a home office later; if combined with a full bath, room could also be used for an aging parent/aging in place
Source: Home Innovation Research Labs