Olivia Whiteley Interior Architecture and Design Portfolio 2021

The Smart House Olivia Whiteley Interior Architecture and Design

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Precedent Studies : Proposals for an Aging Population

RSA Brief : Analysing the Brief

How might we harness agefriendly design to ‘future-proof’ homes so they are sustainable, safe and inclusive places to live and enjoy?

“We are living longer than ever before. Since 1990, global life expectancy has risen by over seven years. At the same time, ageing societies pose a challenge to our cities, towns and neighbourhoods, as many of the homes that we live in are not suitable for us to age-in-place. The likelihood of experiencing a physical impairment or disability that makes day-to-day life more difficult increases as we age. Inadequate and unsuitable housing is consistently prevalent and can exacerbate these issues, as well as magnifying the costs of health and social care for an ageing population. For example, just 9 percent of housing in England is suitably accessible. • Shaping future housing design to be accessible and sustainable by default is a key solution. Homes should support multigenerational inclusivity, enhance life experience, and promote independence, health and wellbeing, while still satisfying basic functional and safety requirements “ - RSA Design Competition

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The Possibilities are Endless

Back Garden City

+Home

Flexibility and Adaptability

Co-Existing

Enviornmentally Conscious

This proposal uses a simple rectangular form to create a framework that can be easily adapted for various uses as the owner requires. Inside, the block is cleverly arranged with a shower-room, toilet and kitchen aligned along the far wall, allowing a large flexible space to be created along the entire front of the block. This space can be easily divided through the use of two mobile partition walls that are complete with integrated furniture. Depending on the position of these walls the independent pavilion can be a temporary guest house or a residence for a student, young professional or elderly couple

Back Garden City proposes to take advantage of the generous plots given to these post-war houses to create clusters of new single storey homes. Built in the back gardens, these homes would allow family members to live completely independently but still in extremely close proximity to the main house. An individual family could create an annex for an elderly parent or a separate dwelling for a young adult living at home; neighbours could develop units with a shared access; or groups of existing residents could collaborate to create clusters of dwellings. These clusters would develop their own micro community feel with a shared outdoor space.

The +Home proposal helps communities to build green, walkable, vibrant neighbourhoods themselves, bypassing traditional housebuilders.

Instead of standard house designs on soulless housing estates, +Homes can be community-led and support selfbuild homes that people can design themselves. +Homes are simple to build, with flexible, affordable frames and components, and are climate friendly to make and run.

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Research : What societal issues do elderly people currently face?

Research Question : ‘How do people with age-based disabilities or diseases intersect with the built environment?’

Findings from Age UK

Throughout my proposal, I want to consider how an elderly person would navigate homes we see today, and how this could be modified to support an aging popualtion. I’m taking on the point of view that an elderly person has moved in with her daughter and stepson to create opportunities for intergenerational contact, and support the idea of living independently with support.

1.6 million older people in the UK are living in poverty

3 in 10 people aged 5474 and two thirds of the over 75’s are not online

25,000 older people die needlessly of cold each winter

• Enable integrated care and effective collaboration between different statutory and voluntary agencies, developing ‘Home from Hospital’ schemes and supporting services from the voluntary sector to prevent readmission.

“• Ensure older people are able to access joined-up information, advice and advocacy, across all sectors and the community.

• Include ageing in their housing and planning strategies, building to lifetime home standards.

• Commit to ensuring that all aspects of planning, policy and practice consider the social inclusion of people in later life.

• Work in partnership across statutory and voluntary sectors and with communities to ensure that everyone who is entitled to extra support actually receives it.

• Provide a wide range of accessible and affordable quality housing options for older people to remain independent and connected to their communities.

• Support neighbourhood networks which promote social connections and ageing well for a growing diversity of older people, including those otherwise unable to get out and about.

• Provide ready access to aids, adaptations and assistive technology to help people maintain their independence at home as their needs change.

• Have respectful and inclusive attitudes towards later life, treating older people as full citizens, creating opportunities for intergenerational contact and mutual support, and fostering positive attitudes to ageing.

• Enable people to manage their long-term conditions and to live independently as long as possible, accessing community and voluntary activities and services, including practical help at home and cultural activities to enhance wellbeing.

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1 million older people haven’t spoken to anyone in a month and 4 million say the television is their main form of company

• Promote full age equality across Public Health, NHS and care services, ensuring that everyone is cared for according to their health needs and not their age.

• Work in partnership with banks and other services to provide face-to-face facilities in the community, promote digital inclusion and ensure older people can benefit from online savings.

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Location : Site Analysis

Surrounding Areas

15 Scott Avenue M21 9QW

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Oswa ld Ro

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Images of Site Topography of the Site too?

Sco tt A v

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Roa d Ma

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Bus Stops

Supermarkets

Hospitals

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Allotment Gardens

Local Age UK Facilities and Council Buildings

Key Site Roadways and Paths Gardens and Greenspace Allotment

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Concept : The Smart House App is alerted

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App is alerted

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Key

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Wake up

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App is Alerted of Spill

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Go to Medicine

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Carer Comes Downstairs

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Take Medicine

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Clears Spill

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App is Alerted

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Eats Breakfast Together

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Go to Kitchen

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Made Tea is Spilt

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User : Eurgonomics of a Wheelchair high reach oblique reach maximum 1500mm turning circle

head height

290

forward reach

over low table, comfortable

eye height shoulder

550

1465

thigh

1255

465

seat height

foot height 1075

475

690

990

630

710

490

575

1155

elbow

435 560

1575

965

reach over high table

1295

sitting

165

1075

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Side View

Top View

Measurements of mm

Measurements of mm

Isometric View

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Zoning: Communal to Private Spaces Community and encouraging social interaction was vital in proposing a space for intergenerational living. With 1 million older people having not spoken to anyone in a month and 4 million saying the television is their main form of company, spaces like the kitchen and living room can be used as a space for family and reconnecting, whilst allowing those private spaces also.

Ground Floor

First Floor

Key Private Communal

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4m 1:100

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Existing Plans : Problems with Current Structure

Existing Plans : Demolition Drawings

Creating a smaller private living space

Extending wall in hall for a larger entrance that caters for a wheelchair user.

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Ground Floor Scale 1:100

Changing the door width and door type to cater for a wheelchair user.

Typical British terraces don’t cater for an aging population, with their layout being uncomfortable for those with mobility issues to navigate. Within the current structure, there’s few spaces that allow for a 1.5m turning circle for a wheelchair, and facilities like bathrooms and bedrooms are located upstairs.

By extending the space, and incorporating a groundfloor bathroom and bedroom, this allows for an elderly person to live independenly, whilst living with their family.

Wall removed to create a kitchen diner space

Removing upstairs bedroom and bathroom to extend into upstairs living area.

Creating a terrace garden, to connect to living area.

Extending both walls for a larger kitchen

Making a larger, more comfortable hallway, and changing the bedrooms to appropriate sizes.

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4m 1:100

First Floor Scale 1:100

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4m 1:100

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Plans : Proposed Ground Floor Scale 1:100

Doors and entrances at 1.5m, that are large enough for a wheelchair user

1.5m turning circle in areas where someone would be likely to turn in the space. e.g. kitchen or dressing areas.

Larger disabled bathroom that allows a chair user to navigate the space comfortably

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Key

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Entrance

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Living Space

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Kitchen Diner

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Disabled Bathroom

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Private Bedroom

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Private Outdoor Space

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4m 1:100

Ground Floor Technical Drawing Scale 1:100

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4m 1:100

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Plans : Proposed First Floor Scale 1:100

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Key

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Living Space

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Master Bedroom

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Bedroom

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Rooftop Garden

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Balcony

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Frosted Glass

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4m 1:100

First Floor Technical Drawing Scale 1:100

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4m 1:100

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Section : Connecting Spaces

Section : Proposed Ground and First Floor Scale 1:100

Added skylights to allow light into the space.

This was necessary as windows couldn’t be added on the sides of the building due to it being a terrace house.

Balcony to allow natural light into the ground floor.

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4m 1:100

Cross Section

Cross Section Persective

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Plans : Proposed Roof

Elevation : Proposed Elevations

Scale 1:100

Scale 1:100

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Front View Elevation Scale 1:100

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Concept : Smart House Elements

Concept : The Smart App

Scale 1:100

As technology progresses and more of the world become virtual, it’s become hard for the elderly community to access resources available to them. With 3 in 10 people aged 54-74, and two-thirds of the over 75’s not being online, integrated technology and assistive smart spaces can ensure that the elderly population can live independently for longer.

To illustrate how technology and our sense of home can interwine, assistive technology has been incorporated into the space to ensure that the elderly resident can live both safely and independently. These elements would work side by side with the home app, meaning vulnerable elderly residents can be monitored if their safety is at risk, and give that peace of mind to their carers.

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Key

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Automatically Locking Doors

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Kick plates to open sliding doors automatically

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Temperature sensitive surfaces

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Smart Refill Fridge

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Heat Regulated Shower

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‘Home from Hospital’ storage

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4m 1:100

Provisional Line

Safety Line

The app manages aspects like appointments, user friendly social media platforms and is a way of tackling isolation and loneliness. This would be a place where an elderly person could access resources from local councils and charities like Age UK, as well as more day to day activities like restocking the fridge.

Taking a home from hospital attitude, this ensures that both elderly resident and carer have the peace of mind knowing that their home is safe. Monitoring trips and falls of the elderly resident, and identifying when appliances are turned on, means that accidents that could be potentially detrimental are prevented. You can also change the temperature and lighting of the space.

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Concept : Kick Plates to Open Doors and Lighting

Technical : Refillable Fridge

Scale 1:50

Scale 1:50

Incorporating a kick plate to automatically open sliding doors means moving through the space is easy, as the conventional doors can be difficult to use when in a chair. These kick plates sit at 165mm, which is naturally where the feet sit in a wheelchair. Light switches are placed at 1295mm, which is a natural forward reach position . To be environmentally conscious the app can be used to view which lights are switched on, and can be turned off by phone.

Food shops and large supermarkets can be hard to visit whilst alone, or if you’re without a car, so a refillable fridge that monitors food stock makes independent living easier. The fridge monitors when food is down and adds it to an automatic shopping list on the app, meaning food can be delivered or a carer can make the trip.

Food stock is low and app is notified

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Spill is detected by surface and app is notified

Technical : Counters and Heat Sensitive Surfaces Scale 1:50

The kitchen is a communal area where all the family gather, meaning worktops and counters need to be designed to cater for those wheelchair bound and not. By having an accessible kitchen, an older person can navigate the space independently.

As a safety precaution, heat sensitive surfaces are included that notify the app whether something hot has been spilt on the surface. Temperature controlled taps are incorporated to avoid the risk of burns, and the app can be notified whether the stove or oven has been left on.

Stove that notifies app that its turned on, and at what temperature

Temperature controlled taps, to avoid the risk of burns

Standard counter height for the rest of the family, so they can continue to live

Lower counter top for wheelchair user

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Induction hobs, that notify the app when they’re on Temperature sensitive surfaces, that detect hot substances

Stove Isometric Scale 1:50

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Technical : Home from Hospital Technology Scale 1:50

A sense of independence and taking a home from hospital approach is a contributing factor to our wellbeing as we age. Having a storage space that allows an elderly citizen to manage their long term conditions independently and comfortably, means more people can stay in their homes as they age.

Medication and other medical equiptment that allows the resident to manage their long term conditions, where the app is alerted to indicate they’ve taken the correct medication

Heights of storage units can be adjusted on the smart app, to be at a reaching height of 1295mm

Storage space for the wheelchair, or walking frame.

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Furnishing : The 70s Home In terms of furnishing the smart home, I’d considered how an elderly person would associate with a modern house. To do this, I’d looked at interiors in the 70’s era, and my users relationship with their home when they were younger. Using elements like colour blocking, bright tones and pattern may aid an elderly persons memory recall, as the home poses as a familiar interior to British homes in the 70s.

Furnishing : Inspiration The colour blocking can be used to indicate potentially hazardous areas in the house, and also pays homage to 70’s interiors. This would be bright colour that’s associated with danger like various shades of reds, and relaxing areas will be painted with calm tones like greens.

Klinker Apartment Colombo and Serboli Architecture

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The Colour Blocking Project West Leeds

Hotel Saint - Marc Dimorestudio

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Materiality : Floor Finishes Plan

Materiality

Scale 1:100 On the Ground Floor rubber will be used throughout the entire space, as this is a non-slip, and non reflective surface. In potentially hazardous areas, such as ovens and showers a tactile rubber will be used, so an elderly person can associate this texture with potential hazards if their eyesight deteroriates with age.

Colour Palette

Materials Board

Tactile Rubber

Plywood

Tile

Leather

Wood

Aluminium

Rubber

Vinyl Covering

Key Rubber Flooring Tactile Rubber Flooring

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4m 1:100

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Materiality : Look and Feel Ground Floor Render

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Materiality : Look and Feel First Floor Render

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Furnishing : Furniture Plan

Appliances : Future Facility Concept Apartment

Ground Floor

For an elderly person, coventional appliances we use day to day may seem overwhelming and confusing. Taking Future Facilities Concept Apartment and implimenting appliances that are simplifyed for an elderly audience allows the user to continue to live independently. This would be used for elements like kettles, dishwasher, oven and washing machine.

Living Room

Swedese Wood 2-Seater Sofa

Luxy Cube Armchair

GAN Wool rug with geometric shapes

Dining

Bedroom

Flos LED aluminium wall lamp

Poltrona Frau Leather bed with upholstered headboard

Luxy Cube Armchair

Örsjö Metal Mushroom Floor Lamp

Colombo Design Folding polyurethane shower Seat

newform Shower panel with diverter with hand shower with overhead shower

Emco Bad Grab bar

Cappellini Bedside table with drawers

Bathroom Skagerak Georg Dining Table

Hudson Valley Lighting Brass and opal glass pendant lamp

Samsung Family Hub Multi-Door Fridge

Dornbracht Sink spout

Hay Soft Edge 10 Dining Chair

Kitchen

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Foster Induction glass ceramic hob, with safety features

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Furnishing : Furniture Plan First Floor

Master Bedroom

Upper Living Area Poltrona Frau Leather bed with upholstered headboard

Luxy Cube Armchair

Cappellini Bedside table with drawers

Swedese Wood 2-Seater Sofa

Luxy Cube Armchair

Second Bedroom

Flou Upholstered bed on castors

Örsjö Metal Mushroom Floor Lamp

Cappellini Bedside table with drawers

Outside

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EMU Outdoor Chair

Cyan Outdoor table

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