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Last week I read an article from the Chicago Sun Times about the growing need for creation of accessible housing for the ageing baby boomers in the US - the Post-WW2 generation that will become the largest segment in US history to age at one time.
As they age and begin to hit geriatric roadblocks, some will need special housing.
Making new housing accessible is required by law – making new construction specifically designed to be lived in or visited by people who have trouble with steps or use wheelchairs or walkers.
But the term ‘visitable’ was new to me. And I think a good addition to the vocabulary. It means that the building is inclusive to everyone. It allows a person with a disability to become integrated into a community – to be able to ‘visit’. And these ‘visitable’ homes are designed to allow for greater adaptations as the owners’ needs change.
Design for retirement communities and senior housing is an ever growing field, as providers are becoming more sensitive to consumer needs as well as adopting principles for sustainability.
The American Institute of Architects recently released their 2007 Design for Aging Awards.
It is worth noting that many of the projects on the AIA winners list were also part of IAHSA’s 1st International Design for Ageing Showcase and Symposia that debuted at the IAHSA conference in Malta in the summer of 2007.
We’ll be sponsoring another IAHSA International Design for Ageing Showcase in London in 2009 so stay tuned.
At our conference in Malta this year we launched the 1st IAHSA International Design for Ageing Symposium & Showcase It was a resounding success, featuring an international survey and exhibit of the state of the art trends in senior living and aged care.
Under the leadership of Jeff Anderzon, the IAHSA design showcase is going on the road – to Korea – to be part of the International Future Design Conference sponsored by Dr. Yeunsook Lee of Younsei University in Seoul.
The conference [23- 28 October 2007] is a global forum to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and facilitate the exchange of ideas, information, and innovations to pave the fertile ground for macro- and micro-environment especially for housing for the future.
Lessons learned in Seoul will help us build on our success in Malta as we prepare for IAHSA’s 2nd International Design for Ageing Showcase at our 8th International Conference in London in July 2009.
