Age-friendly Housing

This book embeds the principles of how we should approach the design of future housing for an ageing population, reminding us that this is not about ‘other people’, but about each of us. This book focuses on anticipating the needs and aspirations of the next generation of older people, and touches on what this implies for our communities, our towns and our cities, as well as for our living spaces.It will look at how well-designed buildings can facilitate the provision of care, support independence and wellbeing while providing companionship and stimulation. It will also examine how to ensure that buildings remain flexible over a long life. Dealing mainly with new-build, but with a section on adaptation and refurbishment, this book sets out the underlying design principles that should be applied and the early decisions that must be taken. Richly illustrated with case studies alongside contributions from a range of experts and examples of best practice, this comprehensive resource will inform and empower architects, designers, planners and clients to be braver and wiser in designing with older people in mind.

Table of Contents:
  1. Introduction The psychology of ageing The origins of housing for older people Building on the HAPPI project The value of inclusive design Current policy   2. Approaching a new project Deciding what type of housing to build Integration with the wider community Management, staffing and supporting facilities The importance of a good brief Option appraisal and design concept   3. Creating the right environment Encouraging social interaction through design Creating purposeful and interesting spaces Providing access to care and support Bringing the outside in Reinforcing connections   4. Feeling at home Practical and beautiful spaces Privacy and independence Stable and controllable internal conditions Appropriate technology Private outdoor space for year-round enjoyment   5. Working with existing buildings Upgrading or remodelling sheltered housing Converting existing buildings into age-friendly housing Adapting individual homes   6.  Future-proofing, follow up and feedback, Offering choice and flexibility Designing for future need and expectation Learning from residents and staff Monitoring building performance   7.  Case studies   Glossary, index and references

About the Author :
Julia Park is an architect and Head of Housing Research at Levitt Bernstein, with over 30 years of housing design experience and a large body of research work. She is particularly interested in bridging the gap between policy and practice and is currently interim chair of the RIBA Housing Group and an active member of the cross sector Housing Forum. She writes a regular column for Building Design and has written, or co-authored, numerous design guides, reports and publications, including the first HAPPI report in 2009. Jeremy Porteus is Director of the Housing LIN (Learning and Innovation Network), and a national expert in housing for older people. He chaired the Homes and Communities Agency Vulnerable and Older People Advisory Group 2010-2016 and is vice-chair of the Housing & Ageing Alliance. He also sits on a number of Department of Health working groups relating to delivering better care at home and healthier communities. Jeremy has been heavily involved in the HAPPI reports (and is secretariat and author of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People inquiry reports HAPPI 2 and HAPPI 3) and writes regular blogs and thought-leadership pieces. He also worked closely with a RIBA research team in 2014 on their review on design for an ageing population and, as a fellow of the National Institute for Health Research, sits on a number of academic and knowledge transfer projects.