Design for an ageing population The demographic landscape of Newcastle is vastly changing and creating an older population alongside it. Creating an age-inclusive space in 2022 needs to be modern, fresh and exciting, but still cultivate a sensible and more sensitive design to assist senior needs. 41% of all people aged 65+ feel out of touch with the pace of modern life.29 In the interview conducted for primary research, participants mentioned many times about how they liked a more modern interior space and how, in the last 10 years, they have updated their homes to try to make them more modern. When participants were asked if this was
for any particular reason, Richard (75, male) answered “Just aesthetically really, just to make it nicer and more modern. My wife likes to keep up with the times!” A lot of typical interiors that are designed for senior living tend to opt for a traditional style assuming that is what older people like, by providing a sense of nostalgia. However multiple panels discussing and studying the needs of the modern older person have been held, including with RIBA and New London Architecture. The new approach features light, modern and very sensitively designed property - the exact opposite of the traditional image.30
Glossary of age-friendly terms
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Results and analysis Three people were interviewed as a part of the primary research, two of the participants were female aged 71 and 80, and a male participant aged 75. By interviewing both genders and an array of ages, this gave the interviewer a wider range of qualitative data. Regarding issues around furniture all participants were honest and clear about the challenges they face when interacting with furniture. These findings substantiate most results collected from secondary data and further confirm that an ageing persons quality of life can be affected by the colour and furniture choices around them. The three main topics in the paper were to: 1. investigate furniture from an ergonomic stance; 2. conduct research to find the best colours to use for the audience and how the use of this in a space can have a positive bearing on their life; 3. discover how materiality can impact the age group. The interviews focus was to learn how the participants used furniture, and if ergonomic changes e.g. armrests would help with the quality of their user experience. Results confirmed that higher, supportive and upholstered furniture were the participants favoured choice and surprisingly armrests weren’t a necessary addition as suggested by secondary research done by the brand Ton. When discussing colour, interviewees were, as seen in secondary research, drawn to a pastel and neutral colour palette: “I don’t mind busy wallpaper when it’s in a restaurant because you’re only going to be there a couple hours and it feels more special. Whereas I wouldn’t have it in my house because something that bold is too much all the time”. (Sheila, 71 female) Additionally, research from Resene states that a variety of the colours in an ageing persons interior can increase their interest in their immediate surroundings while keeping cognitive function alive. Resene concludes, elderly people are frequently drawn to softer colour palettes and pastels, but these often don’t have the vivacity that’s necessary to stimulate the mind and mood.43 The discussion of materiality didn’t go as in-depth in primary research, with participants only expressing their need for comfortable and upholstered furniture, this goes further into depth in Wang’s ‘summary of overlap between materials selected for sofas by males and females.’ The final conversation was regarding iconography and signage in commercial interiors; the primary research supported secondary research ascertaining those icons are another area of special concern for older adults. Icons should be labelled with text whenever possible. This makes the purpose of the icon’s crystal clear for everyone. 44
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