Universal Design

What is universal design and 
why should you know about it?

Who is your home built for? Traditionally, homes have been built for Joe and Jill Average and their family of 2.5 kids. But what happens if Jill’s elderly mother comes to live with them, Joe is disabled by a car accident and the kids leave home?


More and more of us are now realising that our homes should be designed for access and use by everyone, regardless of age, lifestyle or physical condition, and that it actually pays to take Universal Design into account when renovating. 

What is Universal Design?

Universal Design (also known as Lifetime Design) is based on the principle that it pays when designing a new home or renovating an existing one to think not only about the current needs of the people living there but the needs of others and how our own needs may change over time. 

As part of Universal Design, the “aging in place” movement is pushing for homes which enable us to enjoy independent living at home for as long as possible in our lives. 

Who benefits from Universal Design?

In a word, everyone. Universal Design is about being inclusive, using simple, proven ideas to make any home more liveable and comfortable for the widest possible range of people, including:

■   Families with young children
■   People who want to stay in their homes as they grow older
■   People who want to simplify their housekeeping
■   People who are taller or shorter than average
■   People with disabilities including those who use wheelchairs or walkers

Is Universal Design worth it?

Do you want to make your everyday life simpler and more flexible? Is the safety of your family and friends important to you? Do you want your home to be as accessible, useable and comfortable as possible to everyone who visits or stays?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then you should talk to Pzazz Building about Universal Design. If you’re planning to build or renovate, it’s easier and less costly to include Universal Design in your plans now rather than later. 

Universal Design has purely economic benefits too, adding value and improving saleability. Remember than one in six of New Zealanders is over the age of 65 and one in seven of us has some form of disability. That’s a lot of people. Do you want to exclude these potential buyers of your home when it comes time to sell?

Where do I learn more about Universal Design?

There is a wealth of resources on Universal Design and how to apply it in your home.
 
After many years of international research, New Zealand's Lifetime Design has developed a series of design guidelines. Lifemark® rated homes are designed to be usable and safe for people of all ages and stages. They are easy to live in – for a lifetime.

How easy is your home to live in, both now and in the future? This simple online list of multiple choice questions takes a few minutes to complete and will give you some useful feedback, as well as advice on how to improve your score.

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