FUNCTIONAL INTERIORS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS 4(2+2)

Lesson 6: Housing Environments for Special purposes and Needs: Adapted / Adaptable

Benefits

• Adaptable housing is necessary for maximizing accommodation choice for people. As population continues to age adaptable housing increases in importance and this trend increases the demand for accommodation that caters to people with limited mobility. Traditionally, accessible housing has been provided separately but was not affordable by the aged and people with disabilities.
• Adaptable design helps avoid the personal and economic costs of social dislocation associated with moving into institutional care and allows for ageing in place and independence for persons with disabilities.
• Adaptable design can also support persons with temporary disabilities, young or ageing families and visitors with disabilities.
• Adaptable design can assist in falls prevention and reduce the overall frequency of household accidents.
• Adaptable housing is also cost effective. Considering and implementing adaptation at the design phase will add an additional cost to construction of around 1-5%. This compares with a cost estimate of approximately 12-35% in additional costs for modification works to an existing dwelling.
• It provides for changing needs of a family over time. This can range from the needs of a family with a new-born, someone starting a business from home, an ageing couple or someone who develops a disability (temporary or otherwise).
• The property (and therefore re-sale) value can be higher because it can be easily adapted to the needs of new occupants at minimum cost—always a huge consideration when people purchase a home.