ᐅ Building Accessible Homes – What Are the Key Considerations?

Created on: 18 Jan 2019 17:51

We are considering converting an old industrial building into small apartments, preferably including some for seniors. The floor needs to be completely renewed anyway. Walls, ceilings – everything will be new. This means it would be possible from the start to design some apartments as barrier-free or even fully accessible for people with disabilities.

Does anyone have practical experience with what tenants with disabilities really want and need? What are the key considerations for senior apartments? I look forward to ideas and useful tips.

Yosan19 Jan 2019 00:06

#13

The door handles are positioned lower than usual... that was the first thing I noticed when my grandparents moved into an apartment like that.

ypg19 Jan 2019 01:35

#14

Few corners, no unnecessary doors, wide pathways that allow rooms to flow into each other, such as the hallway, living room, and kitchen. Bedroom and bathroom close together. Built-in wardrobe in the hallway, flush with a main wall. This is the first thing that comes to my mind.

User081519 Jan 2019 11:55

#15

What comes to mind immediately: no thresholds at patio doors, window handles etc. at sitting height, large parking spaces near the entrance, doors that are not difficult to open, and maintenance contracts for the elevator with fast response times.

Vicky Pedia24 Jan 2020 18:18

#16

Also take a look at DIN 18040. It specifies many things, dimensions, heights, and areas.

nordanney24 Jan 2020 19:04

#17

Do you want to build just with reduced barriers (which applies to almost all new constructions) or fully accessible and suitable for elderly or disabled people?
If you are planning genuine senior apartments, the surrounding environment is at least as important as the construction method. Often, it is even the decisive factor.
In that case, you are moving towards a senior living center and should keep in mind features such as common rooms and connections to elderly care facilities.

haydee24 Jan 2020 19:24

#18

I don’t think so. There is assisted living, and there are nursing homes.
What about couples where one partner is fit and the other has physical limitations? They don’t even have to be elderly. An accident in their 30s, a stroke in their 50s.

ᐅ Building Accessible Homes – What Are the Key Considerations?

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