Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle - Aging and Disability ...

Focus on the Future Forum:
Universal Design and
Housing in Response
to the Human Life Cycle
ZAI: Emory Baldwin
Shirley Tomita April 5, 2007

Trends of the Aging Population
Greatest wealth is owned by 50+ age group.
One 85 and older age group is fastest-growing
segment of population.
Most people want to age in their homes.
The average person can expect to experience a
disability at some point in their lives.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Trends of the Aging Population
Chronic conditions show no age boundaries.
Multigenerational family living is on the rise, and
adult children are living at home longer.
The number of households headed by single
female wage earners continues to grow.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Understanding Universal Design
“Universal Design is the design of products and
environments to be usable by all people, to the
greatest extent possible, without the need for
adaptation or specialized design.”
-Ron Mace, 1991

Seven Principles of Universal Design
1. Equitable Use
2. Flexibility in Use
3. Simple and Intuitive Use
4. Perceptible Information
5. Tolerance for Error
6. Low Physical Effort
7. Size and Space for Approach and Use
(1997: Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University)
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design – Examples
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design – Examples
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design – Examples
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design – Examples
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design – Examples
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Distinction between
Universal Design and ADA
ADA sets out rigid rules and regulations
exclusively aimed at those with disabilities.
UD is a philosophy that encourages creative
solutions and thoughtful values. It is an
inclusive approach that incorporates all
users in good design.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Distinction between
Universal Design and “Barrier-Free” Design
Barrier Free Design is aimed at
people with disabilities, either
from age, illness or accident.
UD deals with making all
environments and products
more usable by as large a part
of the population as possible.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Relationship Diagram
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Global Universal Design
International UD Conference Kyoto 2006
Second International UD Conference
Works in conjunction with the “Designing for the 21 st
Century” series of conferences.

Demographics:
14,570 total participants and
attendants
1,250 from overseas (non-Japanese
experts in all fields)
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

5-day Conference format:
Series of small concurrent sessions (5 at any
one time, divided into 15 topics):
Ideal and Philosophy
Signage & information
Urban Design
Medical/healthcare
Housing
Ergonomics & Human Factors
Industrial Design ……etc.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

5-day Conference format:
Larger Plenary Sessions with Keynote Speakers
UD in an Era of Super-aged Society
UD for City Planning and Disaster Prevention
UD for Medical & Assistive Care
Dialogue between Science & Design
Sustainable Design
UD in Ideal and Education
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

5-day Conference format:
Exhibits:
Products
Research
Charettes:
48 hr inclusive design challenge
48 hr student design charette
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Summary:
Japan has taken the lead on Universal
Design, and is the first society to
confront the aging crisis.
There was generally a negative attitude
toward standards & regulations.
Encourage creative solutions through
good design as the spirit and intent of
U.D. principles.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design is about:
“DESIGNING FOR THE MIND, HEART AND
THE BODY”
It is about GOOD DESIGN and
A philosophy of COMPASSION AND
INCLUSIVENESS
an approach to design that recognizes and
accommodates the changes people
experience over their lifespan
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Essence of a Universally
Designed Environment
Flexible
Supportive
Nondiscriminatory
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Conventional Housing
does not allow for:
Disabilities
Transitions or
Creative living solutions
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Household Compositions
have expanded to include:
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
Elderly relatives
Caregivers
Unrelated adults
Multigenerational Households
Home businesses

Additionally,
Housing prices are high for first-time
buyers.
Many ‘empty nesters’ have more space
than they need.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

New Approach to
Designing Environments
Better accommodate people’s:
Changing situations
Varying spatial requirements
Varying abilities
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

By designing a flexible structure that allows for
a number of varied floor plans,
it is possible to:
Easily modify the layout
Increase marketability
Reduce need to move
Enable elders to age in place
Contribute to stable & sustainable communities
Provide affordable alternative to wasteful
remodeling
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Lifespan Design
Goes beyond the traditional scope of
Universal Design
Embraces the full spectrum of the human life
cycle
Addresses changing life phases and
corresponding living arrangements
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
A Scenario
of the Human
Life Cycle

SINGLE HOMEOWNER WITH RENTING
ADULT
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

YOUNG COUPLE WITH RENTING ADULT
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

MARRIED COUPLE DURING PREGNANCY
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
MARRIED COUPLE WITH INFANT

MARRIED COUPLE WITH CHILDREN
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

NUCLEAR FAMILY, WITH ONE MEMBER HAVING A DISABILTY
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

NUCLEAR FAMILY AND ELDERLY ADULT
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

SINGLE PARENT, CHILDREN AND RENTING ADULT
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

MATURE COUPLE WITH GROWN CHILDREN
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

MATURE COUPLE WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE LEFT HOME
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
ELDERLY COUPLE

ELDERLY PERSON WITH RENTING ADULT
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

ELDERLY PERSON (OR PERSON WITH DISABILITY ) WITH
CAREGIVER
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Universal Design Showroom & Residence:
Sitka|Alaska
Primary Home - Upper Level
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
Primary Home – Lower Level
Layout Option #1

Universal Design Showroom & Residence:
Sitka|Alaska
Primary Home Above
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
Home Office / Rental Below
Layout Option #2

Universal Design Showroom & Residence:
Sitka|Alaska
Duplex: Unit Above
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
Duplex: Unit Below
Layout Option #3

Universal Design Showroom & Residence:
Sitka|Alaska
Duplex: Unit Above
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle
Duplex: Unit Below
Layout Option #4

Green Lake Home - Accessible Entry
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Green Lake Home –
Stacking Closets for future elevator
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Principles of Lifespan Design
allow buildings of any category to:
Better support their occupants over a lifespan
Reduce an occupant’s need to move
Contribute to stronger and more stable
neighborhoods
Provide environmentally stable alternative to
wasteful remodeling
Allow more affordable options for people to retain
their homes when their needs change
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

With this approach,
a home can be more than just a shelter,
its potential is to be a person’s most
valuable tool and asset, supporting them
throughout their lifespan.
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Many share the same belief:
These demographic changes are leading a
growing number of people around the world to
similar conclusions that:
“There is a need for an approach to
design that recognizes and
accommodates the changes people
experience over their lifespan.”
For example…
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Flexible Housing
FlexHousing of Canada

Flexible Housing
Lifetime homes of UK

Flexible Housing Concept Home by Path - USA

Pre-fabricated Homes
Cost effective means to:
Reduce labor costs
Achieve flexibility by modularity
Control quality and precision
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle

Pre-fabricated Homes
Michelle Kaufmann Designs

Pre-fabricated Homes
Noji Gardens, Seattle

Alternative Approaches:
Senior Co-housing

Alternative Approaches:
Senior Co-housing

Alternative Approaches:
Senior Co-housing

For more information, please contact:
Shirley Tomita
Emory Baldwin, AIA
ZAI Inc.
5228 Kirkwood Pl. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
P: 206-275-2345
F: 206-275-1345
Email: emory@zai-inc.us
shirley@zai-inc.us
Housing in Response to the Human Life Cycle