Yola Mealing of Stiltz Homelifts considers how factoring in accessibility at project planning stage delivers the ‘forever home’ that clients are desiring
As more homes are reworked for multi-functional living, the opportunity exists to create properties that cater for all phases of life. Architects and planners are starting to prioritise inclusive design for new builds, but opportunities remain to encourage adaptability of existing housing stock too.
There’s a lot of talk about ‘Ageing in Place’ as a solution to our ageing population. Baby-boomers are hitting retirement, with Generation X hot on their heels. However, The Centre for Ageing Better reports around only 7% of the UK’s current housing stock is accessible for all people, while Government figures show poor quality housing costs the NHS an estimated £2.5bn per year. Unfortunately, too often a home becomes a barrier to independent living in later life offering the scope for design professionals to respond by delivering functional and adaptable spaces.
As Paul Gamble chief executive of Habinteg, stated in the national press: “People want to age in their own homes as independently as possible, for as long as they are able. It seems obvious to me this choice remains important as we get older.”
While demand for new build homes continues, an estimated seven million existing homes in England are owned by someone aged 65 or over. Many of these homeowners have no plans to move but are in the market to preserve and protect their current way of life.
It’s not just older people who need to consider accessibility though. As architect Julia Park explains in the Resi Happy Homes podcast: “Homes lived in by younger people shouldn’t be excluded
when it comes to accessibility. We’re sociable, we want to invite friends and family into our homes, and some may be older people and others wheelchair users.”
The stair conundrum
Stairs are often the first stumbling block for the design of an accessible home. Older housing stock can present steep stairwells and space-restricted landings, negatively affecting the ergonomic function of a home for those less mobile.
Layouts and movement patterns around the whole property should be considered when remodelling and re-imagining a client’s existing home, or when building a new one. Having access to the entire
house is critical for independent living and remaining connected to every part of the home.
For the architect who has a design-aware client, a homelift is the obvious answer to solving inter-storey access.
There are homelifts on the market which get the balance of form and function spot on. Products which present a compact footprint of less than a square metre allow space to be easily modified with minimal impact on the surrounding structure. Installation can be quick and straightforward due to a lift’s modularity, with only a simple ceiling/floor aperture to consider in terms of building work. And, if space is restricted or where there is a need to maintain existing property features, shaftless and freestanding homelifts offer the bonus of flexible positioning.
A homelift can be sited close to existing stairs or, space permitting, within the turn of a staircase. Another popular location is in the main family room travelling to a bedroom above. It is the versatility
of installation options which enables these capsule lifts to work in so many different applications.
Building for ‘active ageing’
Including, or allowing for homelifts in the built environment can support clients to continue living in their home of choice for as long as possible, regardless of age or ability. A homelift can also be a practical solution prior to being needed as an accessibility aid, such as generally helping move luggage, vacuum cleaners or heavy washing up and down the stairs.
As Rose Gilroy, who is professor of ageing, planning and policy at Newcastle University, points out: “Homeowners should ideally be installing adaptations while ‘still fit and able.’”
It is somewhat self-evident to state, but a future-proofed home isn’t about adding every deliverable from the outset. A major overhaul is not always necessary, especially while the cost of living and building materials soar. However, incremental changes, perhaps adding sockets at easy-to-reach heights or strengthening walls to allow for future fitting of grabrails, as well as optimising spatial planning with wider corridors and connected spaces for wheelchair access, ensures long-term accessibility.
Starting with a homelift, the objective would be to include products as needed to support universal moveability. These can be pre-planned to harmonise with chosen layouts rather than retrospectively shoehorned in, resulting in a compromised design aesthetic.
By seamlessly connecting space and storeys for future needs, we can deliver holistic housing that stands the test of time.
Yola Mealing is head of brand and communications at Stiltz Homelifts