Good design is necessary in all aspects of housing to deliver successful products. Excellence in site selection, landscaping, architectural design, material use, system integration and fabrication quality make the finished product appealing enough to motivate a profitable purchase and satisfy buyers with appropriate and affordable housing.

But what is the standard by which good design can be measured? Opinion? Attraction by specific segments of the population? Sales? Profits? Partially, yes. However, while these may occur, they are not the catalyst. Meeting the user’s need over the home’s life sets a standard for good design, not to mention the user’s lifetime.

As an example, ask any number of real estate professionals who sell to 50+ buyers, and many say finding appropriate housing for this unique demographic is slim picking. “Appropriate” is the key word. Inappropriate housing can hardly be considered good design, so why does it exist in our markets?

What about well-designed affordable housing? In most markets, this category is underserved. This is yet another opportunity to capture a niche without competition being a major factor, but buyer demand is. Why then is it not more widely developed? Would we call a lack of affordable housing promoting good design? Hardly.

As some housing demand goes untapped, so do other housing opportunities. Then there are trends that are the current buzz – anything to do with “green” design and sustainability. This market trend succeeds because a consumer majority has been offered it. It is value-delivered and received, as well as a social responsibility achieved in times when people are more tuned to preservation vs. exploitation - a template worth repeating.

In actuality, universal design is a good design approach with much in common with “green” design, and dare say more. Value delivered with universal design is an understatement. Not only do recipients benefit multi-fold, but it is socially irresponsible not to use universal design since it protects and preserves the entire society

Universal Design More Valuable Than Green Design

Here are some observations to consider on green and universal design:

“Green” design promotes products and concepts that won’t hurt the ecosystem. Universal design can accomplish the same thing, plus deliver positive impact on the environment’s inhabitants, regardless of age or ability, while creating a more comfortable, convenient and characteristic environment in the process.

“Green” design attempts to reduce energy consumption, thus costs, through specific products, applications and methods. Universal design accomplishes the same thing, but goes beyond to prevent accidents and falls and improve eyesight, hearing, maneuverability and usability. It does this not only with energy-saving products, but through placement, application and quantity, most of which cost little or no more than normal construction costs to achieve.

Build With Universal Design Sooner Than Later For Best Rewards

The majority of the nation’s housing stock is more than 30 years old and ripe for remodeling with updated systems to provide energy efficiency as well as human efficiency. If we were to remodel it all, the resulting waste would  cause landfill overload, duplicate spending on material replacements as well as time, labor, and immeasurably high disruption to the home owner’s life. This doesn’t take into account jeopardized air quality, upsetting health (mental and physical) due to construction irritants, normal daily activities such as food preparation and personal care – not to mention schedule upheaval. So, to be proactively sustainable, more homes should be built with good sustainable, universal design the first time.

If new construction included the best of universal design, designed for all ages and abilities, the only remodeling necessary might be for cosmetic face-lifts, or other specific personal desires. The remodeling necessity due to poor design would not exist. Universal design is gold treasure waiting for builders and remodelers to uncover that can be equated into greater sales, profit and business growth.

And, as family lifestyles change, expand or decrease, universal design comes to the rescue to support these revolving needs. Simple as it is, the example of doing laundry compares the good design balance of how “green” and universal design can work in tandem to enhance good design.

Doing laundry without having to bend to facilitate washing and drying clothes is a cinch for most everyone. Not only do universally designed, energy-efficient raised washers and dryers promote ease of use, they also conserve human energy while they save on energy bills, keeping users comfortable with convenient access. The same concept applies to microwaves, dishwashers, etc.

Also, work surfaces of multiple heights allow someone of any age to perform various functions required of different abilities and seating needs. The materials selected can prevent toxic substances and fumes, if made of natural materials. You can rely on universal design to deliver the how, where, when, how and why housing choices should be designed, placed, fabricated, and what colors, finishes and edge treatment to be incorporated to serve all ages and abilities.

That’s value, but there are countless other examples.

Universal Design in All Environments – Indoors and Outdoors

Universal design contributes to the inside and outside of the home as well as the community. It helps to preserve forests by reducing tree wood without redoing thresholds and doorways by delivering no-step entries and wide passages the first time a home is built As it keeps our forests intact for future generations, it allows all generations’ access to homes where elevated or narrow entries might otherwise make it challenging to push baby carriages, move furniture or recover from surgery or a mobility-limiting sports injuries.

Public parks and gardens benefit from universal design with people of varying stamina benefiting from benches placed along walkable paths. Amphitheaters with graded walkways promote access to any performance, and a display or sculpture can be enjoyed by people of varying heights because of well-lit and well-positioned shelving. While residents appreciate green spaces, socializing with neighbors or walking instead of driving cars to save the planet, universal design leads the way with a plethora of good design choices to execute these deliverables.

Universal Design Is Design That Wins

"Green” design is good design that can be made even more valuable through universal design enhancements. Universal design is voluntary, not currently certified, but used by those who recognize its potential, not only for user benefit but also for marketing, sales and profit propensity. Good design always trumps success. The more you use it and let it guide your decisions, the better your competitive edge.

AARP and NAHB recently announced winners of the 2008 Livable Communities Awards that rewarded developers, builders and remodelers for incorporating good design into their products. Both sustainable and universal design concepts were among the design criteria. The annual award offers proof that good design affects winning examples of accomplishing these goals, from affordable to luxury-level housing.

Universal design is a bit elusive, void of measurements, levels, grades and designations. Due to its limitless application, fabrication and use, not to mention its high degree of evolution from creativity and education, it is often unique by installation. Like “green” design, some universal design can be standard, but much is dynamic and benefits are maximized with professional expertise – like art.

Universal Design Is Affordable and Appropriate Design

The cost of the universal design is affordable, adding between 2-4% to construction costs for average use. If planned in advance, some builders have been able to net zero costs, qualifying universal design for even the most affordable housing options. What other investments in building delivers this type of return in multiple markets?

The 50+ demographic is the most affluent market niche, creating a pent-up demand for good design that motivates consumers to buy appropriate housing to meet their changing lifestyles. How long will it be before you accept the rewards associated with universal design? 

The 50+ market is alerted and expects good design, especially with “green” movement in full swing. Perhaps now is the time to introduce universal design. In a down economy, good design is always appreciated. In fact, people are craving good news that makes their lives better.

And, with the most eligible 50+ buyers ready, waiting and willing to unleash their funds earlier than other segments of the market, the race will be on to find the best value for their money. Limitless universal design will offer golden treasure for decades to come, long after all homes are perhaps inherently built with “green” design.

Sustainability to preserve natural resources is significant. What good is protecting the planet, if we limit participation and health of those who inhabit it? Go for the gold now to be a winner and secure your future with good universal design. You wouldn’t want to be green with envy of other builders who captured your buyers first. Make it happen—the rush is on.

Rebecca Stahr, ASID, CAPS, MCSP, CMP, CAASH, President, CEO of LifeSpring Environs, Atlanta, Ga., is a design and marketing consultant with more than 20 years of  experience serving 50+ housing, non-profit and consumer arenas. Her firm assists professionals in successful positioning to lead in mature markets. Stahr may be reached at lifespring.env@mindspring.com or 678-762-3330.

For other information on universal design, attend Stahr’s session, “Universal Design Boot Camp,”on Jan. 22, at the 2009 International Builders’ Show.


© 2008 LifeSpring Environs, Inc., All Rights Reserved   

Photo credits:

 Kitchen with multi-level counters, Tapestry Custom Homes, McKinney, Texas

Walk-in shower, same as above

The bench, with side and center armrests, provides a gripping surface for a visitor who may need additional support when sitting and rising

Nikken Sekkei Ltd
Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan [Return to top]