Universal Design in Kitchens and Bathrooms

By Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, LEED AP, KTGY Architecture + Planning | DESIGN INNOVATION | MOHAWK FLOORING MOHAWK

Slip-resistant flooring, such as these Maycrest 6x24-inch porcelain tiles, is recommended for universal design in kitchens and bathrooms.

Things You 16 Should Know About UNIVERSAL DESIGN

niversal design is a term, and a mode of archi- tectural practice, that is often misunderstood. At LEARNING OBJECTIVES its core, universal design promotes design that After reading this article, can benefit all occupants and users of buildings, you should be able to: not just the elderly or persons with disabilities. Universal design—also known as “design for DISCUSS the seven basic principles of + all,” “inclusive design,” and “human-centered universal design. design”—is not new. It’s been around for more DIFFERENTIATE universal design practices + than 20 years. Its seven principles were promul- from those required by the ADA and the gated in 1997 by the Center for Universal Design at North Fair Housing Act. Carolina State University. + LIST several ways to implement universal UA few consumer product manufacturers have taken uni- design for kitchens, bathrooms, and versal design to heart. Notable among these is OXO (oxo. bedrooms in multifamily communities. com/products), which is famous for its kitchen devices DESCRIBE the role of color, lighting, and + that make it easier for a person with, say, arthritis, to grip door hardware in universal design, a can opener. People with no physical limitations love especially in senior/assisted-living them, too, because they work so well and feel so good. and memory-care facilities.

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That’s what universal design is all about: regimented, inflexible. As a result of these and design that works for everyone’s benefit. other negative perceptions, universal design The concept of universal design also works has failed to win the hearts and minds of many in reverse. Take lever-style door handles. Even architects and interior designers. though they are required by code in multifam- Let’s take a closer look at universal design ily projects, they are much easier to use than (with an emphasis on multifamily residential round pull handles, not only for people with projects) and clarify exactly what it is, what it physical limitations, but for the physically ca- is not, and how you might use it in your next pable as well—for example, the young mother project. who’s holding a squirmy toddler in one arm and a bag of groceries in the other. 1 Carefully review the seven principles of Unfortunately, there are some misconcep- universal design. The seven concepts delineat- tions about universal design when it comes to ed in the accompanying box are commonsense residential and commercial buildings: that it guidelines that we should be routinely incorpo- adds to the cost of construction; that it results rating into our designs. in clumsy, unattractive designs; that it is rigid, From my experience, the most relevant for multifamily residential design is tolerance for error—minimizing hazards that can lead to acci- dents, such as not having slip-resistant flooring THE PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN in bath and kitchen sink areas. 7 If you’re guided by these universal design principles from the start, you’ll avoid mobility • PRINCIPLE ONE: regardless of ambient problems in the future. This will give occupants EQUITABLE USE conditions or the user's of the apartment, condominium, and townhouse The design is useful and sensory abilities. communities you design the opportunity to marketable to people with enjoy a healthy, risk-reduced environment for a diverse abilities. • PRINCIPLE FIVE: long period of time. TOLERANCE FOR ERROR • PRINCIPLE TWO: The design minimizes 2 Understand that universal design is a FLEXIBILITY IN USE hazards and the adverse choice, not a legal requirement. One of the The design accommodates consequences of acciden- biggest misconceptions about universal design a wide range of individual tal or unintended actions. is that it is somehow associated with the 1990 preferences and abilities. Americans with Disabilities Act. It is not. • PRINCIPLE SIX: At the risk of oversimplifying a very complex • PRINCIPLE THREE: LOW PHYSICAL EFFORT law, the ADA prevents discrimination against SIMPLE AND The design can be used people with disabilities in “places of public INTUITIVE USE efficiently and comfortably accommodation” (as well as in employment, Use of the design is easy and with a minimum of public services, and telecommunications). In to understand, regardless fatigue. the case of multifamily residential projects, of the user's experience, “places of public accommodation” can refer to knowledge, language • PRINCIPLE SEVEN: rental or sales offices, daycare centers, fitness skills, or current concen- SIZE AND SPACE FOR centers, entrance lobbies, and clubhouses—in tration level. APPROACH AND USE other words, almost anything outside the living Appropriate size and units themselves. • PRINCIPLE FOUR: space is provided for The ADA does not apply to the physical apart- PERCEPTIBLE approach, reach, manipu- ments, condominium units, or townhouses in INFORMATION lation, and use regard- a multifamily residential community. That’s the The design communicates less of user's body size, job of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, necessary information posture, or mobility. commonly known as the Fair Housing Act. This effectively to the user, law covers residential projects of four or more units. It prohibits discrimination in housing on Source: Copyright © 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design. the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, and disability. It also protects families with

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children under age 18 in the household, as well corner of a wall, or from a countertop to the Under-cabinet as pregnant women or anyone in the process of floor. You want colors that provide contrast at lighting (such as the Häfele Loox LED adopting or securing legal custody of a child. transitions, to guide occupants safely around system shown here) their living spaces. reduces glare and 3 Be aware that universal design is not From an interior design point of view, this can makes tasks easier for all users. just for residential projects. Universal design be an exciting opportunity—at little if no added practices can be applied well beyond the obvi- cost to the overall budget. ous applications—senior living, assisted-living centers, extended care facilities, apartments, 5 Get your lighting right. Under-cabinet condominiums, collegiate student housing, and lighting is great for kitchens and single-family homes. other areas of the apartment where Many other building types could benefit from you want to set a tone. It also One of the biggest the thoughtful application of universal design: puts the light where it’s needed, hotels and resorts (rooms, bathrooms, kitchens), potentially saving energy, reducing misconceptions about schools (cafeterias, restrooms), office buildings glare, and setting a more pleasant (workplace cafés/kitchens, restrooms), airport atmosphere. universal design is terminals (vendor kitchens, restrooms), sports In designing for senior living facilities (college recreation centers, YMCAs/ communities and especially for that it is associated YWCAs, stadiums, arenas), and healthcare facili- memory-care centers and assisted- ties (hospitals, medical/dental office buildings, living facilities, think carefully about with the Americans outpatient facilities). Pretty much anyplace glare, which can have a disconcert- with Disabilities Act. where there’s a kitchen, bathroom, or restroom ing effect on older residents. is a candidate for universal design. A note of caution: Don’t put over- It is not. head lighting in the vanity. It causes COLOR, LIGHTING + CONVENIENCE gaunt shadows on the face, which can be discon- IN UNIVERSAL DESIGN certing to anyone. You want to replicate natural daylight as much as possible and light the face 4 Choose interior colors that provide from in front to eliminate shadows. directional guidance. In senior living, elder- I think we’re on the verge of having some care, assisted-living centers, and especially great new lighting technology. Delos Living has in memory-care facilities, getting colors right patented a system that controls the interior light- is crucial to the success of the project. Avoid ing to follow the natural circadian rhythm, so your grays: As people age, their eyes lose the abil- future tenants and condo owners will fall asleep ity to differentiate transitional spaces—at a more easily and wake up more refreshed.

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Zero-threshold shower in down with packages can put them down on the Vu at MacDonald High- 6 Put a little lift in some of your electri- shelf and open the door without having to also lands, a luxury townhouse community in Henderson, cal outlets. This is a pet peeve of mine. My fumble with the key. Of course, make sure the Nev., designed by KTGY own house was built in the 1950s; the builder shelf/counter doesn’t inhibit access by those Architecture + Planning. installed a combination light switch and plug in needing more room. This also makes for a good Also, note lighting to reduce facial shadow. the main hallway at chest height, and we use spot for residents to personalize the front door it all the time to run the vacuum for practically with flowers or other decorations. the whole house. Saves a lot of bending to find the plug that’s hidden behind a bulky piece UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR KITCHENS, of furniture. BATHROOMS, AND BEDROOMS So, instead of putting all your outlets at the customary height (15 to 18 inches), put some 8 Use slip-resistant flooring in bathrooms at 42 inches from the floor—especially in hall- and kitchen sink areas. This is not required ways, kitchens, and spaces where the tenant under the typical building code or other regula- or condo owner, or the facilities staff, will need tions, but it won’t add to your costs, and it just to plug in a vacuum cleaner or an appliance. makes sense for any space where water could It’ll save a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on splash onto the floor. Why not design to prevent everyone’s back. unnecessary falls—not just for the elderly, but for everybody? 7 Put a “package shelf” outside the front door. By “package shelf,” I mean a shelf or 9 Consider specifying zero-threshold show- counter, at countertop height (36-42 inches), ers—but be aware of some limitations. Anyone where the tenant or condo owner who’s loaded who has ever stubbed a toe on one of those

50 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | December 2018 Grab bars (such as the Kohler Choreograph shown here) can be stylish and still support a 300-pound load. bottom sliding door tracks stepping out of a traditional tub-shower combo can appreciate the pleasure of stepping out of a zero-threshold shower. Product manufacturers have been coming out with lovely shower systems that pretty much eliminate the hazard of tripping over a raised threshold. There are, however, practical considerations to be aware of. For typical three-story, wood- frame apartment construction, putting in a prefabricated fiberglass shower means that you have to depress the shower—but you still KOHLER need to get a one-hour fire rating in the floor system. This is not a problem in ground-floor apartments, because there’s concrete. But for safety function that works for everyone. the upper floors, it means the contractor has to drop the bathroom floor, usually put in a struc- 11 Install cabinets with pull shelves. Cabi- tural beam, and perform other work that may be netmakers have come up with beautifully de- too costly. You can also warp up the approach, signed storage systems that pull but that requires tight coordination of trades. out so the user doesn’t have to With proper planning, it can be done, but reach way back in a cupboard to Be prepared for the new don’t wait until construction has started to ad- find a jar or bowl. Here again, uni- dress this technical concern. My hope is that versal design makes it easy for technologies that will be the plumbing supply industry will come up with everybody to use. There are also rolling out in the coming a more practical solution—perhaps a drop-in cabinets with cutting boards that shower with a one-hour built-in fire rating on the slide out at chair height. Saves years—and embrace them bottom. But that’s for the future, not now. room, very convenient, easy for Another convenience that’s not required by everyone to use—another univer- as the next stage of ADA or the Fair Housing Act: a footrest in the sal design no-brainer. shower. It makes it much easier for women to I also recommend specifying universal design. shave their legs and for men and women to cabinetry that has C-shape or wash and dry their feet. Future tenants and U-shape pulls instead of knobs—easier for condo owners will thank you for thinking of this. everyone to grip.

10 Try the new grab bars for the bath or shower. Anyone can slip on MERILLAT a soapy shower floor. Fortunately, there’s now a wide selection of grab bars that look nothing like the traditional ADA-type grab bar but provide the same level of support in the event of a slip. My favorite is the Choreograph (Kohler). It’s very elegant, and has attachments for shampoo and other supplies. Like other products in this category, it does not meet ADA requirements, but it can still handle 300 pounds of pressure. So it per- The Merillat Cabinetry Universal forms the same role as a “handi- Base Pull-Out Table puts the cap” grab bar but doesn’t look like task at the optimal height for a one. It’s a small detail that looks wide variety of users. nice but also serves an important

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One area where I would be a little cautious is elderly or those with severe arthritis or limited installing appliances like microwaves, ovens, or use of their hands, tying one’s shoes can be dishwashers at lower levels. This may be accept- physically demanding and emotionally embar- able when you know you’re designing a kitchen rassing. And most beds are too high for tasks in a single-family home for a resident who is in a that require a lot of bending. chair. But putting microwaves and other appli- This is an easy accommodation you can offer. ances at a lower height in a large-scale rental Just allow for a little extra space in your design community would make it difficult or inconvenient of the master suite; the occupant can supply for most tenants. the right chair, ottoman, or bench, so there’s virtually no cost to the project budget. 12 Install touch-activated faucets in kitch- Here again, the 23-year-old who’s just finished ens and bathrooms. Plumbing manufacturers a 12-mile run will appreciate having a comfort- have come up with elegant touch-activated fau- able place to take off those Nikes, and so will cets. They’re convenient for people of any age, the elderly condo owner with back problems or even children. Once again, they’re not required rheumatoid arthritis. under the ADA or Fair Housing Act, but they TWO LAST THINGS TO THINK ABOUT make sense, and the KOHLER cost is reasonable. 15 Give your contractor a little wiggle room. As an architect practicing universal design, one 13 Locate the laun- thing I try to avoid is forcing the general con- dry close to the mas- tractor and specialty subcontractors on our jobs ter bedroom or bath. to magically adhere to the zero tolerances that In most apartment, today’s design 3D software programs theoreti- condo, and senior cally provide. living floor plans, the Let’s face it: not everything comes together washer-dryer combo perfectly once you get out in the field. Your con- winds up in a closet struction team may install 99 doors exactly to far distant from the your specification, but one door may be off just sleeping/bath area. a bit. The same kind of thing can happen when But if you’re designing you’re specifying hundreds of variously shaped a senior living com- countertops for an apartment or condo project. munity that’s predominantly populated by empty My advice: Don’t make your dimensions too Touch-activated faucets nesters, they’re not doing tons of laundry for intolerant. Give your contractor a little leeway to (such as the Kohler unit shown here) make it easy the kids anymore; so, if you have put the laun- allow for changing conditions on site. for all users, whatever dry as close as possible to the master bedroom their level of physical or bathroom, you’ll save them a lot of wasted 16 Brace yourself for new technology. The capability, to turn the water on without having steps. Even locating it in the master walk-in is smart apartment or condominium is on the way. to turn a handle—another fine, especially in age-qualified apartments. Maybe not as quickly as some thought it would, instance of universal de- Here’s another way to do this: Picture a “dog- but it’s definitely coming. These days, with Blue- sign at work. gie door” in the wall in the master closet op- tooth, WiFi, and the cloud, it’s much easier to posite the clear space in the laundry room. If you adapt the design of multifamily living to chang- place a laundry basket in the laundry room under ing technologies. the door, all the resident has to do is push the +EDITOR’S NOTE laundry through the doggie door and it lands in We are on the cusp of everything being con- the hamper and stays there until laundry day. trolled by your voice, your phone, your watch, This completes the reading These laundry-room configurations work just maybe even by your eye. It’s already happening for this course. To earn 1.0 AIA CES HSW learning as easily for rental or condo complexes where with lighting, shade control, comfort setting, and units, study the article singles or young couples are the target. They’ll access control to multifamily communities, indi- carefully and take the love having the laundry close to the bedroom. vidual buildings, and individual living units. Be exam posted at prepared for the new technologies that will surely BDCnetwork.com/ 14 Allow room for a chair in the master be rolling out in the coming years—and embrace UniversalDesign suite. Seems like a simple idea, but for the them as the next stage of universal design.+

52 | BUILDING DESIGN+CONSTRUCTION | December 2018 HÄFELE HÄFELE Universal design includes kitchen cabinetry that makes it easy to get to the goods (such as these Häfele iMove Pull Down units). UNIVERSAL DESIGN – AIA EXAM

1. Which of the following is NOT another term for universal design:  “Human-centered design”  “Design excellence”  “Inclusive design”  “Design for all”

2. Universal design’s 7 key principles were promulgated at the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University IN WHAT YEAR:  1977  1987  1997  2007

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the 7 principles of universal design: eliminates shadows on the person’s 9. TRUE or FALSE: Specifying cabi-  Low energy use face. netry with C-shape or U-shape pulls  Tolerance for error  True  False instead of knobs is an example of  Low physical effort the proper execution of universal  Simple and intuitive use 7. Which of the following state- design for multifamily residential ments is TRUE in terms of universal projects. 4. The 1990 Americans with Dis- design:  True  False abilities Act (ADA) PROHIBITS  Grayish tones should be avoided DISCRIMINATION against persons for the interiors of eldercare and 10. Which of the following is a REC- with disabilities: memory care communities. OMMENDED STRATEGY for universal  In places of public accommodation  As people age, their eyes lose the design in multifamily projects:  In employment ability to differentiate transitional  Undercounter lighting in kitchens  In public services spaces—at a corner of a wall, for  Touch-activated faucets  All of the above example.  Zero-threshold showers  Colors that provide contrast at  All of the above 5. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act transitions to guide occupants are of 1968, commonly known as the recommended for senior living and Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimi- assisted living centers. Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, LEED AP, is the Managing nation in which of the FOLLOWING  All of the above Principal for KTGY Architecture + Planning’s Los RESIDENTIAL USES: Angeles office. He is responsible for the design,  Single-family homes 8. Which of the following is a land planning, and production of residential and  Properties with 1 to 3 RECOMMENDED STRATEGY for mixed-use developments throughout the U.S., including active adult and affordable multifamily residential units universal design in large-scale communities and mixed-use residential. During  Properties with 4 or more rental communities: his more than 25 years of practice in residen- residential units  Using slip-resistant flooring in tial development, Gonzalez has won numerous  None of the above bathrooms and kitchen sink areas awards for his innovative designs, including  Allowing room for a chair or Gold Nugget, Best in American Living, NAHB Best of 55+ Housing, and Pillars of Industry. A 6. TRUE or FALSE: Overhead light- ottoman in the master bedroom Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, ing is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED  Both A + B he serves as an Editorial Advisor to our sibling for use in the vanity because it  None of the above publication, Multifamily Design+Construction.

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