The Universal Design

The world is changing and its time for designers and remodelers to respond. We are a people of very diverse needs and desires when addressing our living, working and public spaces.

For many generations our living, working and public spaces have been designed and built for that idealized, non-impaired, non-elderly, average height adult. However this actually only represents about 15% of the American population. The result of this way of designing, this way of thinking, creates huge obstacles for the other 85% of people.

Demographics, legislation, public awareness and personal experience are forcing us to examine the basic assumptions we have used in design. A growing appreciation for diversity and the developing recognition of the positive contribution that seniors and physically impaired people make to our society, has seen a new trend emerge. This design trend calls for more flexibility and adaptability in design. We must create or alter living and working and public spaces to allow the largest segment of our population to be comfortable in all environments. This trend is towards universal design. This concept once incorporated is simply, good design.