Sneaky Accessibility: Destigmatizing Aging by Design

Our growing aging population is savvy and diverse in its needs and wants, craving independence and peace of mind, which puts greater demands on the spaces they call home. Architects witness the stigma that comes with aging, particularly in more obvious accessibility features found in senior living communities. 

The building code requires 2% of newly built apartments in a 20+ unit community to be Type A (or Adaptable) units. The other 98% are Type B (or Fair Housing) units. In many instances, the adaptable units are the hardest to sell in some communities simply because they are labeled "accessible." 

Architects design for safety and adaptability, meeting and often exceeding building code requirements. Much of this can be accomplished “sneakily” to minimize the stigma associated with accessibility and aging. These universal design considerations are not limited to senior living environments—they make sense in any housing stock.

Wall support for future grab bars and shower seats: This is already required in Fair Housing and Adaptable units, but it's cheap, can be included in more places than the Code requires, and is invisible. The hardware is not required to be installed at move-in. 

Space: Clear spaces around all bathroom and kitchen fixtures, doorways, and circulation routes are key to a successful aging-in-place environment. Architects specialize in finding economical ways to maximize square footage.

Flexibility: Thoughtful design can extend the life of a living arrangement. This can include space for technology, duplicate controls, or adjustable or multiple countertop heights to serve a wider range of users.

Employing universal design principles can have a huge impact on the quality of life and engagement of older adults as they live their best lives in their chosen homes, and it can benefit people of all ages and abilities.

James A. Mehaffey, AIA, is the Building Codes Task Force Chair for AIA Pennsylvania and Partner with RLPS Architects.

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