'Better Living Design' Standard Introduced

Options also include a tub deck or front edge of a minimum 10" width for seated transfer, and at least one bath mirror that tilts or is installed with the bottom edge no higher than 40" for use by a shorter or seated bather. Further options relate to height of storage, additional clear space adjacent to the toilet, slip-resistance of the flooring and lighting.

KITCHEN STANDARDS

In the kitchen, clear space requirements are not difficult to achieve in most cases, with the work aisle width being the main point to emphasize at a minimum 42". There is also a requirement, not uncommon but noteworthy, for a work surface at no higher than 34", which can be a pull-out or a fixed/adjustable counter.

There are many options for the kitchen, none hard to achieve but, again, interesting to note. They include front or side controls on appliances, pull-out spray faucets, touch cabinet hardware and several options relating to storage accessorization, particularly in base cabinets. One option relating to snack bars is the recommendation that they be at 30" or table height.

Further options relate to ventilation and garbage disposal controls, heights of appliances and storage, knee space available at the sink, lighting and location of lighting controls and outlets and varied counter heights. Truthfully, including BLD features in the kitchen would rarely be a hardship, but it would require a thoughtful application of the BLD specifications.

While many in the design profession have long been incorporating Universal Design principles, I hope you see this brief introduction to Better Living Design as a marketing opportunity. It can provide added direction for design going forward. For those of you interested in learning more or in being part of the effort, more information is available at www.betterlivingdesign.org.

The BLD team will be at IBS and Better Living Design will be featured at the next UD Summit in May 2013. For additional information, go to udsummit.org.