2008-10-06

Design for Human-Centered Living

The goal of our work is "inclusion."

It's the perfect work. The goal is universally appealing. By the time you have succeeded nobody can understand why the world would have ever been otherwise.

That is why these reviews of universally designed homes are so illustrative. They document the cultural shift towards the "new common sense" approach to the built environment.

One by one people all over the world are making a lifestyle change. As homes are redesigned for owners to live in them for much longer periods (aging-in-place) they also naturally become available as places of hospitality for those with disabilities who are currently excluded by design (Visitability.) As domestic standards of comfort and socializing turn toward environments that accept social inclusion as fundamental commercial environments such as hotels, resorts, and vacation vehicles feel the market pressure to do the same.

This review of a universally designed home in Virginia tells the story of one more step toward the human-centered approach to hospitality.

"One of the goals with universal design is to make all these features invisible so you don't notice them," Thomas said. "The house in Mountain Run doesn't look any different from any home but it's fully functional and accessible."
The idea behind universal design is to make a home accessible to all people, regardless of disabilities or age, he said.

"If builders would start to look at new ideas instead of continuous patterns, they could be doing a better job of making buildings more user-friendly for everyone," said Michael Chenail, senior consultant at Compliance Alliance, an Americans with Disabilities consulting company that has worked with Thomas.

As a baby boomer, Thomas realizes the growing need to build homes that will accommodate people as they age.

Having wider doorways and stepless entryways, for instance, enables anyone, regardless of age or impairment, to visit or maneuver through a house, said Thomas, who also has a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist designation from the National Association of Home Builders

Notice this from the NAHB web site:

Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS)

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.

Full home review article:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/business/realestate.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-05-0049.html

Design for Human-Centered Living

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