ABSTRACT
The population is ageing. In the United Kingdom in 2006, 11million people were over the official retirement age, currently 60 years for women, 65 years for men (Office for National Statistics, 2005). It is estimated that, worldwide, by 2050 the number of people aged 60 years and over will be 2 billion (World Health Organisation, 2008). For many people, the kitchen is the centre of the home, a place with influence on individual health and well-being. Previous work conducted by members of the research team has allowed some comment on the relationship between space, design and individual behaviour (Kellaher, 2002; Percival, 2002), and how the built environment can form an important aspect of self-identity in older people (Peace et al, 2006). The kitchen was found to be a source of quality of life issues for older and disabled people (Oliver et al, 2001).
