ABSTRACT
Let’s Begin Our Stroll (Both Walking and Rolling) through the UD “Smart” Home 238
Let’s Start at the Garage 239
The UD Evolving “Drop Zone” and “Command Center” 239
The Easy-Use Kitchen 239
Making the Case for the Universal Designed Open Home Plan 240
Smooth Flooring and Surfaces Are Critical in the UD Home 240
Don’t Forget Thoughtful Furniture Placement 241
The Universal Bathroom 241
A Safe Hallway Leads to Private Rooms 243
Your UD Stairway to Heaven 244
A Healing Inclusive Bedroom 244
Lifestages: Redefining the Kitchen-A Comprehensive Study about Generational and Societal Influences on Kitchen Design 245
The New Normal 245
The Genshift 2011 Report 246
Baby Boomers (Born between 1946 and 1966) 246
Generation X (Born between 1967 and 1976) 246
Generation Y (Born between 1977 and 1993) 246
Key Findings 246
Key Finding 1: Homeowners May Not Have the Home They Really Need 247
Key Finding 2: Gen X Homeowners Are Staying Put 247
Key Finding 3: Dog Food May Be More Important Than Wine 248
Key Finding 4: Multitasking Requires Multifunctional Spaces 248
Key Finding 5: Multigenerational Homes Are on the Rise 248
Key Finding 6: Do Sweat the Small Stuff 249
Key Finding 7: The Best Floor Plans Are Open to Interpretation 250
Additional Considerations 250
Looking to the Future... 250
Sources 251
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Universal Housing Design 251
Applying Universal Design Philosophy to the Residential Kitchen 251
Safety Conflicts 252
Supportiveness Conflicts 253
Conflict Issues Conclusion 255
The Facts of Floor Space 255
Work Centers and Counter Heights 258
Storage 259
Lighting and Electrical Concerns 259
Controls and Hardware 260
Additional Concerns for Low-Vision Users 260
Additional Resources 260
Technique: Universal Bath Design 260
Safety 262
Accessibility/Comfort 262
Conclusion 263
Universal Design Features for Aging in Place-the Bath 263
Residential Redesign for Accessibility 264
Project 1: Three-Bedroom Rambler 264
Project 2: Townhouse 267
Hillside Home with Elevator and Other Universal Design Features 268
Kitchen Design for a Family of Cooks: Kitchen Design Strategies to Increase Home Dining for All Family Members 269
Award-Winning Accessible Home Uses Universal Design (Family Living) 272
Award-Winning Universal Design Home (Senior Housing, California) 273
Improving Quality of Life through Universal Design 273
Award-Winning Universally Designed Home (Senior Housing, Ohio) 275
Perhaps no other environment so readily reflects the underlying principle of universal design (UD) as the home. The environment should adapt to fit people, not vice versa. When you think about “home,” it is that fit that most readily comes to mind; home is where you are surrounded by the possessions you most value and enjoy, organized in a spatial arrangement that best reflects your personality and desires. Housing, however, has never really been designed to support the wide range of human beings that exists.
