Housing and Human Needs Interior Design I Chapter 1.2 Notes

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Housing and Human NeedsInterior Design IChapter
1.2 Notes
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Learning Targets

• I can define housing and briefly describe how it
  has evolved.
• I can analyze the basic physical and
  psychological needs that housing satisfies.
• I can compare and contrast housing needs among
  people of different ages and life stages.
• I can assess the importance of building homes
  that follow the concept of universal design.

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Vocabulary

• Adaptable Design
• Archaeologist
• Barrier-Free Design
• Housing
• Lifestyles
• Nomads
• Physical Needs
• Psychological Needs
• Universal Design

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Physical Needs

• Physical needs include all the things the body
  needs to survive air, sunlight, shelter, sleep
  and food.
• Shelter (from natures elements)
• Sleep (comfort)
• Food (to prepare and eat)
• Safety and Security (from those who might harm or
  steal)

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Need for safety

• Form first towns and villages
• Shelters into cliffs
• Pioneers built stockades
• Log-walled enclosures
• Today
• Fences
• Install locks
• Neighborhood watches

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Psychological Needs

• Needs related to thoughts, feelings and emotions
• Love and belonging
• Identity
• Creativity

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Housing and Individual Needs (handout)
Housing over the
LIFESPAN
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Special Housing Needs

• Why has housing been modified?
• Elderly (increase in older population)
• People with disabilities (wanting independence
  and comfort)

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• Universal Design-- Designing interiors and
  products to accommodate all people with a variety
  of requirements, needs, and abilities.
• Barrier-free Design Living spaces are designed
  without structures that would prevent access by
  people with special needs.
• Adaptable Design Design features that are
  temporary and can be easily changed. (Ex.
  Temporary ramp/cabinets that can be removed when
  the tenant moves out)

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Too often older or disabled people live limited
lives or give up their homes and neighborhoods
prematurely because standard housing of the past
cannot meet their needs. While a truly
universally usable house is a goal for the
future, many features in houses today already are
or easily can be made universally usable. The
universal design concept increases the supply of
usable housing by including universal features
in as many houses as possible, and allows people
to remain in their homes as long as they like
R o n a l d L . Ma c e , FA I A Architect and
Product Designer
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UNIVERSAL DESIGN a definition

• The intent of the universal design concept is to
  simplify life for everyone by making more housing
  usable by more people at little or no extra cost.
  
• Universal design is an approach to design that
• incorporates products as well as building
  features and elements
• universal design concept targets all people of
  all ages, sizes, and abilities and is applied to
  all buildings

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

• What is a universal feature?
• Any component of a house that can be used by
  everyone regardless of their level of ability or
  disability.
• Universal features are generally standard
  building products or features that have been
  placed differently, selected carefully, or
  omitted.

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Entrance Features

• Structural
• Accessible route from vehicle drop-off or
  parking places
• Covered entry
• Full-length side window at entry door
• Minimum maneuvering space of 5x5

• Non-Structural
• Package shelf or bench to hold parcels,
  groceries, and other items
• Movement-sensor light controls
• Ambient and focused lighting (at keyhole)
• High visible address numbers

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BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN Entrance Features

• Level and accessible entrances
• Covered entries
• Full-length side window at entry door

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EXTERIOR

• Rather than steps, use a ground-level entrance or
  a ramp with non-skid surface.
• The ramp should be wide enough to accommodate a
  wheelchair or baby stroller easily with
  turn-around space.
• Provide secure handrails for both ramps and
  stairways.

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INTERIOR

• Wide doorways, hallways and space within each
  room accommodate someone who uses a wheelchair,
  walker or crutches. Thresholds should be flush
  with the floor.
• Light switches and electrical outlets should be
  mounted at levels easily accessed from a
  wheelchair as for people of different heights.
  They should also contrast with the wall for
  better visibility.

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INTERIOR

• Lever-type doorknobs are easier for children and
  people with arthritis to use than round ones, yet
  they cause no inconvenience for others.
• Built-in flexibility is another way to achieve
  universal design. Instead of having a fixed
  shelf and rod, a closet can include adjustable
  shelving units that are easy to adapt to the
  individual.

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General Interior Features

• Structural
• 32-inch minimum clear door-opening
• Flush threshold (maximum of 1/2 inch rise)
• Light switches at 48-inch maximum height
• Crank-operated (casement) windows
• Minimum maneuvering space of 5x5 foot
• Non-Structural
• Maximum force of 5 pounds to open doors
• Loop-handles pulls on drawers and cabinets
• High-contrast, glare-free floor surfaces and trim
  

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BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN General Interior
Features

• Minimum door opening of 32 inches
• Lever-style door handles
• Adjustable-height closet rods
• Tall windows placed low on the wall
• Electrical receptacles 18 inches from the floor

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Kitchen Features

• Structural
• Lever-type faucets
• Variable-height work surfaces
• Knee space under sink and near cook top
• Full-height pantry cabinets for up and down
  storage
• Stretches of continuous counter for sliding
  heavy objects
• Non-Structural
• Pull-out shelves in base cabinets
• Full-extension pull-out drawers
• Adjustable-height shelves in wall cabinets
• Contrasting border treatment on countertops

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BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN Kitchen Features

• Knee space under sink and cook top
• Lever-type water controls
• Variable-height work surfaces
• Contrasting borders on countertops
• Pull-out shelves in cabinets
• Pantry cabinet with full-length shelves

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Bathroom Features

• Structural
• Mirror to backsplash at sink
• Toilet centered 18 inches from side wall
• Grab bar in walls around toilet
• Knee space under sink
• Off-set controls in tub or shower
• Built-in transfer seat in tub or shower
• Non-Structural
• Adjustable-height shower head
• Grab bars in tub or shower
• Level type faucets

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BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN Bathroom Features

• Adjustable-height shower head
• Grab bars in tub or shower
• Over-sink mirror extending down to backsplash

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN Demonstration Home
Landscape 1st Floor 2nd Floor
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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

• The universal design concept considers those
  changes that are experienced by everyone as they
  grow from infancy to old age. Problems related to
  temporary or permanent disabilities are
  incorporated into the concept as well. Because
  all groups are placed within the context of
  normal expectations of the human condition,
  trying to justify the importance of each
  vulnerable population group becomes unnecessary.
• Leon A. Pastalan, Ph.D.
• Gerontologist and Urban Planner

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN Rationale

• Living spaces have long been designed for use by
  one average physical type young, fit, male,
  and adult. The fact is that only some of us fit
  that description, and none of us can be described
  that way for a lifetime.
• Group Work! Brainstorm a list of those people
  who dont fit the average physical type.
  Utilize white butcher paper and markers.
• Population is Changing
• Building Design Industries Have Responded
• Universal Design SUCCEEDS because it goes beyond
  specialization!

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Universal Design benefits ALL peoplewith/without
special needs

• Families having changing needs
• Fits people with a variety of physical
  requirements and abilities.
• Reduces need to adapt homes to meet these changes.

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

• The overwhelming preference of older persons is
• to age in place that is, to remain in their
  homes
• as they grow older. It is essential that
  residences
• be designed to be safe, comfortable, and
  accommodating
• to persons of all ages but particularly
• to those who are faced with diminishing physical
• abilities which make daily domestic routines
  difficult
• to manage. Universal design is a concept that
• will enable older people to remain in their homes
• as they would wish
• Cyril F. Brickfield
• Former Executive Director of AARP

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN Simple Changes to an
Already Existing Home

• Install handrails on both sides of all steps
  (inside and outside)
• Secure all carpets and area rugs with
  double-sided tape
• Install easy to grasp shaped handles for all
  drawers and cabinet doors
• Use brighter bulbs in all settings
• Install nightlights in all areas of night
  activity
• Add reflective, non-slip tape on all non-carpeted
  stairs
• Install lever handles for all doors
• Place a bench near entrances for setting down
  purchases and resting
• Install closet lights, as well as adjustable rods
  and shelves
• Install rocker light switches consider
  illuminated ones in select areas

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN A Low Cost Solution

• Many universal features are no-cost options
• Others are low-cost solutions that can become
  no-cost with widespread use
• In our society, mass production is used to keep
  costs low and to produce products that are widely
  marketable
• Because universally designed products make as
  little as possible special
• Make as much as possible standard
• Mass producing design that is both usable and
  attractive to everyone

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UNIVERSAL DESIGN

• Todays architects address the life cycle of
• buildings. It is time that they began to address
• the life cycle of people as well. Universal
  design
• is considerate of the human lifespan and the
• continuum of abilities of all individuals.
• Ruth Hall Lusher, D. Arch. Candidate

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Magazine Activity

• Find three examples where Universal Design is not
  used. Paste the examples on a sheet of paper and
  tell me what could be different about the room to
  achieve Universal Design.

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Maslow's Theory of Human Needs

• Self-
• Actualization
• Esteem
• Love and Acceptance
• Security
• Physical needs

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Physical Needs

• Your physical needs, such as food, water,
  shelter, and clothing must be at least partially
  satisfied before you can think about anything
  else.

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Security

• Next, you need to feel safe in your surroundings
  and know what to expect. You need protection
  from physical harm and economic disaster.

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Love and Acceptance

• At this point, you want to gain affection.
• You need to be praised and accepted by others.
• A small failure can make you feel rejected as a
  person.
• You need much support, assurance, and personal
  warmth.

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Esteem

• Not only do you want to be liked, but you also
  want to be respected. In this way, you gain
  confidence and feel necessary in the world.

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Self-Actualization

• To reach this level, all other needs must be
  fulfilled to some degree. You feel a need to
  develop your full potential.
• You learn because you want to be a well-rounded
  person. You have pride and self-respect.
• You can show individuality despite social
  pressures. You have your own opinions and are
  able to express them.

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Challenges for Tomorrow

• 1 Designing and building usable housing to meet
  a variety of needs.
• 2 Find ways to make better housing available to
  low-and middle-income people and to improve the
  social environment
• 3 Conserve energy and natural resources.
• Every year in the U.S., homes account for more
  than 30 percent of the total energy consumption
  and produce nearly 20 percent of all air
  pollution missions.

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The Future of Housing???