Designing for Equality

One of the barriers to adopting universal design has been the institutional appearance of some of the products such as bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Now there are many attractive and stylish design choices that can enhance the decor of a home as well as its accessibility to everyone.

Given its merits, one might think that universal design — the providing of access to people regardless of abilities — would be standard in residential dwellings of all types. It is difficult to imagine that anyone would object to having no-step entries, bathrooms with wide doorways and safety features, an elevator, raised appliances, and kitchens that are designed to accommodate the physical limitations of children, the disabled and the elderly.

In practice, many architects and developers still resist the universal design concept. They feel that it adds to costs and requires fixtures that are reminiscent of nursing homes. And while some builders may feel it is a bit presumptuous for others to advocate design standards, we are all consumers, and it is a consumer’s responsibility to make known what design features and built-ins are necessary to make our lives more comfortable and inclusive.

Universal design is defined as the art of planning homes of all types to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of age, ability or physical stature. Its growing number of proponents includes architects, university professors, real estate developers, occupational therapists and specialists in eldercare who believe that this style is the wave of the future, and that the future is now.

“Universal design is a growing trend and a good one,” says Laurence Weinstein, a 40-year veteran architect, developer and space planner for residential and commercial buildings across the United States. “It’s a good thing for everyone, including developers and others involved in marketing homes. Universal design creates relatively inexpensive features that make dwellings more marketable, so it can be a substantial competitive advantage. The universally designed home accommodates all family members at all stages of life, from infants to grandparents, all of whom benefit from homes that impose fewer restrictions on daily activities and maximize independence and safety.”

What’s the holdup?
“One source of reluctance in developing homes with universal design is confusion of the terms ‘accessibility’ and ‘universal design,’” says John Salmen, AIA, president, universal designers and Consultants, Takoma Park, Md. “Accessibility means meeting minimum criteria set by a law or regulation that intended to help a small group of people, usually those with disabilities. When designers look at these accessibility criteria, many look for the cheapest way to address them and move on. The result is the institutional look.

“Universal design takes a much more holistic view of lifespans and people’s changing abilities throughout their lives So, regardless of their experiences and the nature of their lifestyle they can still use the facilities. That’s a much different concept than accessibility and demands a market-based aesthetic which dictates that universal design must look good, and must be appealing to many people.”

Salmen says the added cost of universal design dwellings may be exaggerated or even result from inopportune planning. “When we start to include universal design concepts at the very beginning of the design process, the costs may be minimal. However, the cost of aesthetics and features that are appealing to everyone is a broad question that is often borne of marketing. By appealing to a larger market, as true universal design does, marketing costs may actually be offset.”

Still, one of the barriers to universal design has been the institutional appearance of some bathroom and kitchen fixtures. And while the selection of fixtures and furnishings is nowhere near what it will probably become, there are high-quality, stylish and unobtrusive choices available today.