7 minute read
06. Industry Matters
Design for all
By Emma Green, NATSPEC Communications
Say you're visiting a new friend at their home for the first time. You walk up a short path to their front door, over the threshold and then turn to the left in the entryway as your friend welcomes you and leads you inside.
Depending on your abilities, you may not notice that the path to the front door is uneven, that there's a doorstep, or that the entryway is somewhat narrow.
For many people, entering such a house poses no problem at all. For others, however, it may be difficult to do so independently – if at all. You don't have to think too hard to realise that many houses and buildings present significant accessibility barriers. This inequality within the built environment is something that universal design seeks to change for the better.
Universal design is the design of buildings, products and environments to make them accessible to all people of different ages and abilities over time, without the need for further adaptations or specialised design. Building professionals should consider these aspects as part of their initial design. A number of universal design solutions will not add to the construction cost but do require appropriate documentation.
The principles of universal design in residential design and construction are particularly important in the context of Australia's ageing population. In 2019, 15.9 per cent of the population was aged 65 years or over. Between 1999 and 2019, the proportion of the population aged over 85 increased by 117.1 per cent, compared to a total population increase of 34.8 per cent. With an ageing population comes an increasing demand for aged care and, in particular, residential aged care homes. Yet research shows that the majority of the elderly population would prefer to remain living in their own home and their own community in their older age. The advent of COVID-19 has created greater impetus to find alternatives to aged care homes.
Universal design is an important factor that allows people to continue living in their own home when their mobility is reduced. However, universal design is usually introduced at a later stage through home modifications. Simple changes can dramatically increase a person's ability to live independently. In fact, the main reason that pushes a person to move into an aged care home can be their own house's design. Minor home modifications include levelling a doorstep or installing handrails on both sides of a staircase. Major modifications that may be required include ramps, widened door frames and new bathrooms.
Of course, these modifications are far more difficult and more expensive to introduce after the initial design and construction process is complete. Documenting universal design elements in specifications from the very beginning of a project reduces cost and means that the final construction will be usable by a far greater number of people. Small decisions made in the initial design process can have a significant positive impact in the final construction. For example, specifying floor finishes, the type of door handles, and the height of handles and switches can help more people access and use a building in a comfortable, independent way.
People with disabilities or mobility restrictions are rarely considered to be part of the mainstream housing market. However, the vast majority of the population will benefit from universal design at some point in their lives, whether that's due to illness, injury or old age. Universal design helps make housing inclusive for visitors, tenants and owners of all abilities. This increases people's ability to live independently and prevents the isolation and marginalisation associated with a lack of inclusive housing.
NATSPEC recognises the importance and the necessity of universal design. Three new TECHnotes released with NATSPEC's October update focus on universal design. These additions to the Design series explain universal design goals and related requirements in the NCC and Australian Standards. The TECHnotes will also look at specific issues linked to universal design. For example, trips can cause a person to lose balance and fall, which may lead to injury or hospitalisation. Uneven walking surfaces, low obstacles and poor lighting all increase the likelihood of a person tripping. Universal design can be applied to reduce trips and falls, therefore preventing more serious consequences.
Universal design is just that – universal. It benefits everyone by increasing safety and independence, giving people the freedom to live how and where they want.
NATSPEC is a not-for-profit, governmentand industry-owned organisation. It maintains the National Building Specification and has been a valued part of the Australian construction industry for 45 years. For more information, visit www.natspec.com.au
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