What is Universal Design? And Why You Should Know About It!

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.

Lifemark®

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.

Lifemark® Homescore 

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.