Universal Design Trends: Q & A With Mary Jo Peterson

Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS, is a certified kitchen and bath designer and educator with expertise in universal design, addressing the needs of people of varying sizes and abilities, including people with disabilities and people who are aging. An active member of NAHB, Peterson chairs the 50+ Housing Council’s Convention Education Working Group and speaks frequently on topics relating to the active adult and aging in place market. Her involvement with the Remodelors Council includes contributing to and teaching the Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program.

At IBS 2006, she will be teaching two courses: Designing for the Active Adult on Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Successful Universal Design: Eliminate the Fear Factor on Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For a complete schedule of 50+ education sessions at IBS, click here.

Why should builders consider using universal design?
Builders must respond to the changing needs of any household and must acknowledge the changing needs of the aging-in-place active adult. When it’s done right, it’s invisible – just “good design.”

What universal design features are most popular and will help a builder sell homes?  
In the production market, features in the kitchen include raised dishwashers (when the design supports them), improved cabinet accessorization (rollout shelves, pull-out pantries, more drawers) to improve access, and varying counter heights. As the price point goes up, appliances become more accessible with the shift to a cooktop and oven rather than a range, and putting things within better reach of most people. As the price goes higher still, we get drawers for dishwashers or refrigerators, allowing for separate work stations that are user-friendly to a variety of cooks. Lighting is improved. In the bath, reinforcement for grab bars is becoming more common, as are wider doorways and larger showers with seats and without thresholds when the design allows. In general, at least one no-step entry to the home is incorporated, in the form of a sloped walkway or other integrated design. More open floor plans that make passage throughout the home easier for people using a variety of “transportation” are important. There are many more.

Marketing of universal design features must be subtle, with an emphasis on improving or enhancing lifestyle, not supporting needs. There are no short answers for this, but just remember: the design must be beautiful or don’t do it at all!

What are the current trends in universal design?
Larger bathrooms, and within them, showers and more clear floor space. Also, vanity sinks that look great with knee space rather than cabinet doors underneath.

What are some of the newest innovations in universal design/aging in place in kitchens and baths?
New products are introduced daily, which is good. Recent examples include a drawer microwave oven and the expansion of offerings in drawer dishwashers or fridges; vanity sink designs that encourage and beautify the concept of knee space; larger, open showers; and an increase in the use of “no-hands” technology for faucets, flushing, liquid soap, and other operations. I keep a “new UD (universal design) products” file and toss stuff in all the time. Still, often the products will work if the designer just breaks out of the box and goes non-traditional to what would logically be an easier way to install/use a space.

Have consumers finally realized that universal design doesn’t have to be “institutional”?
It’s coming along – but there is still a huge aversion to anything that suggests that the consumer is “older” or “needs help.” The message has to be that the products are “smarter” and that they provide convenience and pampering.

Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, CAPS, is a principal at Mary Jo Peterson, Inc. in Brookfield, CT. She can be reached at 203-775-4763, or at maryjo@mjpdesign.com. [Return to top]