Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland
These Home Design Guidelines are a first step in the process of raising awareness and inspiring people to think differently about the benefits of Universally Designed homes and the potential opportunity to address some of the global challenges society faces by future-proofing our homes through embracing Universal Design thinking.
When home environments are people-centred in design, convenient and a pleasure to use, everyone benefits. Simply put, Universal Design is good design.
The guidelines are informed by research, a literature review of national and international best practice and guidance and a consultation process with key stakeholders. Universal Design Home design builds upon social and technological advancements in Ireland and internationally. The consultation process with stakeholders that informs these guidelines highlighted a need for better quality housing design for everyone in Ireland for the future.
The Design Guidelines are not intended to be overly prescriptive, but provide a flexible framework for designers to apply the guidelines creatively to all new home types through incremental steps described as UD Homes and UD Homes +. For wheelchair liveable homes, UD Home+ guidelines should be applied. Residential developments incorporating Universal Design Homes should include homes designed to both the UD Home and UD Home+ (wheelchair liveable) levels.
Although the guidelines enhance quality of life for everyone in their homes, they would not necessarily meet every need to accommodate an individual’s personal factors, circumstance or choice. Therefore UD Home ++ guidance and design tips are also provided to raise awareness and assist in person-centred design. For example, where the future occupant of a home is known, there should be direct consultation with them so that their needs and preferences can be incorporated into the design from the outset.
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Section 1 Homes Location and Approach
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Section 2 Entering and Moving Around
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Section 3 Spaces for Living
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Section 4 Elements and Systems
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Section 5 Universal Design Home Types Floor Plan Examples
Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland - Appendices
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings for People with Dementia, their Families and Carers
These guidelines will support the Universal Design Guidelines for Homes in Ireland and will inform national policy and be used in practice by all stakeholders – those who commission, design, build, provide and occupy dwellings. If new dwellings or alterations to existing dwellings are built in line with a Universal Design dementia friendly approach, then they will help people to remain living at home and in their community independently and safely for as long as possible. This approach will also support family members and carers to sustain the caring relationship, particularly if these carers are older people or a person with a disability.
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings - Introduction
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings - Section 1
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings - Section 2
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings - Section 3
Universal Design Guidelines Dementia Friendly Dwellings - Section 4
Research on Dementia and Home Design in Ireland
There are about 48,000 people with dementia in Ireland. This number is expected to double by 2031. Although about two-thirds of people with dementia are living in their own homes, there has been an absence to date in Ireland and internationally of design guidance for domestic dwellings for people with dementia, their families and carers. Aware of this gap, the National Disability Authority Centre of Excellence in Universal Design commissioned this collaborative research project combining expertise in dementia and in architecture.
The research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin’s Living with Dementia programme in the School of Social Work and Social Policy, and TrinityHaus in the School of Engineering.
The purpose of this 'Research for Dementia and Home Design in Ireland looking at New-Build and Retro-Fit Homes from a Universal Design Approach Key Findings and Recommendations Report' is to inform the development of design guidelines, to guide built environment professionals such as architects, planners, landscape architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and builders, as well as health service professionals, on how to produce dementia friendly new housing or to retro-fit people's existing homes using a Universal Design approach. The research involved engagement with built environment professionals, health service professionals, people with dementia, their families and carers, as well as drawing on the body of literature in the field.