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| Image Source: "Universal Design Kitchen." Photo. Qualityhomeconcepts.com 28 July 2011. 10 Jan. 2012 <http://qualityhomeconcepts.com/2011/07/28/a-universal-kitchen-the-seven-principles-of-universal-design/>
When I dream of a suburban future I dream that universal design becomes a standard to the suburban environment.
Growing up my family lived on a farm. My parents put great thought into the renovations they completed on their home. These renovations reflected universal design features. Moving from a home with a sense of aging in place to a home in a town with little to no universal design features, my parents noticed major differences that they had in the previous home that they do not currently have. With this change in my parents’ life and concentrating my undergraduate thesis on universal design, I have learned more and more about the features of universal design and how impactful they can be on a space. I believe that universal design is becoming just as important as sustainability. There are many homes that are built in housing developments that are split-level and not having everything all on one level. I believe that the future of the suburban environment can include universal design whether it is through renovations or building with universal design features.
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
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britnie i think that this is a very relevant point to make and am certain you will find the reading "The State of the Nation's Housing 2011" very interesting as it notes the one demographic we are most likely to count on to purchase single family homes in this home marketing environment is the aging "baby boomers". "aging in place" is a very hot topic and one that i think designers don't find the most provocative, but how one can make it not just function, or be branded with an "old folks home" design sensibility is really interesting.
ReplyDeleteBrittnie,
ReplyDeleteI think your topic and interest on universal design is definitely important. With elderly people wanting to stay in their homes for as long as they can, it is so important to design homes with universal access as a priority. Also, more and more often, elderly people are moving back in with their parents and grandparents as they age and want to be closer to their family. So not only is universal design important to consider when thinking of disabled or elderly people, but it is also important to consider for families of all quantities and ages. As discussed in the article "Joint Center for Housing," more and more people are having to rent but would rather own a home the first chance they get. When they get the opportunity for home ownership, it should be a place they can call home through all walks of life.