Centre for Excellence in Universal Design Spaces for Living 03 UD Home Guidance Houses X UD Home Plus Guidance Apartments Living areas should be large enough for furniture to be arranged in different ways, and with enough clear, unobstructed space for movement and activities. Thoughtful design decisions can ensure that spaces are easier for everyone to use, and provide flexibility for future adaptations. Universal Design Guidelines For Homes in Ireland 3.1 Living Spaces 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 An01 open-plan 02 03 living 04 and 05 dining 06 07 area. 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Photo Design Features P Potential for a large clear turning space in the living area. P Central pendant light provided as well as other lighting such as uplighters and lamps. P Full height windows for good sun and daylight penetration. P One continuous floor finish throughout for ease of access. P Natural light from two directions. Photo Design Tip R Window transoms could be lowered to avoid blocking sight level when seated and the window handle should be lowered. R Deep pile carpet is not easy for everyone to walk on. 98 Spaces for Living: Section 03 Living Room Design Considerations and Awareness The living room is ideally located at entrance level. An open plan arrangement often works very well, but many larger families prefer to have two separate living space so that different activities can happen at the same time. The living room should allow ease of movement for everyone, whether they are sitting down, accessing shelves, switching on the TV, or opening windows and doors. It is important that a household can welcome and entertain all visitors easily, so a living space should be provided at the same level as the front entrance door. However, a living space does not necessarily have to be a living room; it can, for example, be a large kitchen-dining room with space to eat and socialise. This living space should be large enough to accommodate a temporary sleeping area if there is no bedroom at entrance level of the home. There should be enough space for a full-size bed and chest of drawers or small cupboard. The living space should still be capable of functioning normally even with the bed space in use. Where possible an additional room at ground floor should be provided for various uses such as ground floor bedroom or study. Please refer to section 3.5 for bedrooms and guidance. UD Home • and UD Home X Guidance • Ensure there is a living space at the same level as the entrance to the home. • The recommended minimum unobstructed living room widths are 3.3 metres for one bedroom, 3.6 metres for two bedroom and 3.8 metres for three bedroom dwellings. • Identify a location for a bed space at entrance level. • Provide a clear space for 1500– 1800mm turning circle or 1700 × 1400mm ellipse. X Provide a clear space for an 1800 – 2400mm turning circle. • Provide 750mm wide clear route between items and in front of windows and routes between doors. X Provide 800mm wide clear route between items and in front of windows and routes between doors. 99 Universal Design Guidelines For Homes in Ireland Indicative Room Plan: Living Room. 3 3 0 0 m m 750mm 7 5 0 m m 1500 – 1800mm 3300 mm 750mm 7 5 0 m m 3600mm UD Home Consider providing: 1500 – 1800mm • a 900–1200mmXX wide clear route between items, in front of windows, and on routes betwe Guidance 3300mm • a clear space for a 2400mm minimum turning circle in all habitable rooms. en doors. 100 Spaces for Living: Section 03 3.2 Dining Rooms 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 An open-plan kitchen and dining area. 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Photo Design Features P Generous space provided all around the dining table. P No obstructions from supports beneath table. P Directly adjacent to kitchen beyond. Photo Design Tip R Colour contrast between the floor and walls could be stronger and the loose rug may be a trip hazard. R Open-plan arrangements can work well for people with hearing difficulties as they allow clear visual communication. R Very reflective surfaces can be disorienting for some people with cognitive and visual difficulties. 101 Universal Design Guidelines For Homes in Ireland Design Considerations and Awareness Eating, sharing meals and providing hospitality is an important aspect of daily life in every home. In the UD Home, the dining area should be arranged so that the household and their guests can lay the table easily, have enough room to pass behind chairs, and sit down with enough room for everyone. The dining area may be in a room of its own, or part of the living room or kitchen. Most larger families benefit from having a separate living space and kitchen / dining space, because this provides two activity spaces. Everyone will benefit from having a dining area in or near the kitchen to avoid the difficulty of negotiating doors with trays of food and drinks. If the dining table is in the living room, it is helpful to have a small table in the kitchen for occasional meals or snacks. Breakfast bars may be used as long as there is an alternative place for occasional meals in the kitchen, such as a small table. A breakfast bar is not accessible to someone in a wheelchair or of smaller stature. UD Home • and UD Home X Guidance • Provide 1200mm clear space on at least two consecutive sides of a table. X Provide 1200mm clear space on all sides of a table. • If the dining table is in the living room, provide a table for occasional eating in the kitchen. • Locate the dining area within or immediately adjacent to the kitchen. 102 Spaces for Living: Section 03 3.3 Kitchens 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02A 03 'L' shaped 04 05 plan 06 kitchen 07 and 08 dining 09 10area. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Photo Design Features P Large clear turning space in the kitchen area. P Dining table located within the kitchen. P Single run of worktop has sink and hob in it, and can move up and down to suit user. P Clear space below worktop for persons seated. P Ovens located higher than standard for ease of access. P Cupboard handles arranged according to type of drawer or shelving behind. P Good tonal contrast between floor and cupboards. P Deep plinth and toe space provided below all base units. Photo Design Tip R A different layout could have provided natural light and views to dining area. 103 Universal Design Guidelines For Homes in Ireland 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A ‘U’ shaped plan is easy for everyone to use. An accessible kitchen can look very 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 stylish and should not look like an adapted kitchen. All it takes is some imagination, and careful design. Kitchen General Layout Design Considerations and Awareness The kitchen is usually a busy place with many activities taking place at any one time.