From Seniors' Habitat to Universal DesignNorma Sharovsky, Architect, Centro de Estudios de Diseno Universal - CEDU (Universal Design Studies Center) Eduardo Frank, Architect, Centro de Estudios de Diseno Universal - CEDU (Universal Design Studies Center) We are all aware that humanity is ageing. Why, then, are our professions giving this issue so little consideration? The increase of the ageing population over the number of births is causing a modification of the social structure and consequently, the emergence of new issues referred to the habitat. Today, 606 millions adults trigger a new wide spectrum, in spite of which, the markets continue to be obsessed with young people. During the next decades, the "Baby Boomers," the most numerous generation in humanity's history, and the creator of the consumer society, will burst into the active society, with a completely different attitude towards the third age. This is why we are proposing this post-grade course in order to approach this issue developing new strategies to obtain original answers. We must reconsider the architect's role, as a pedagogic one, and take into account the need to place oneself at the place of "the other", within a criterion considering the Universal Habitat as a new alternative to the existing models. Third Age architecture is much more than a habitat without barriers, it is not the result of applying an exhaustive catalogue of forms and recipes, or the design of orthopaedic spaces which finally reinforce the exclusion model. The designing process must be handled taking into account the older person's individual needs, from an inter-disciplinary approach, and within the frames of Health Prevention and Universal Design. Is design based on the moral responsibility of respecting the place where "the other" is going to live?According to our experience, this is not precisely the question posed by those in charge of designing the spaces to be occupied by adults. Generally, previous solutions are applied, without realizing that dependence is, in many cases, the result of a handicapping design. Placing ourselves in a "power" situation, we simply think of all those things an older person cannot do, instead of thinking of all they can - and should - do. The architectural answers must be aimed at stressing and stimulating the older person's aptitudes, at generating stimulating spaces in a "safe" way, at allowing the use of all the person's capacities. Universal Design principles guarantee the four architectural "Ps" for older people, i.e. "positive", "possibility", "preventive" and "prosthetic". We start from the maximum level of difficulty: an older person in a wheelchair, in order to find a solution to other details: heights, size of the doors, position of doors and windows, accessories, fittings, etc., minimum and maximum dimensions. When a great number of superimposed difficulties are considered, we can guarantee not only the possibility of a universal use, i.e. that the design is applicable in all cases, but also an anticipated version of space in which some special type of use will be required. The idea is always to take into account the most unfavourable data for the most unfavourable situation, without forgetting that older people are not disabled persons, or ill people. As already mentioned, only 15% of them need assistance for daily activities. In this way, independent life is stimulated through the design and services, and not through help by the staff. The ergonometric conditions depend on the psycho-physical and age condition of the individual, but also on his/her constitution and even on his/her ethnic group. What we call unfavourable situation is not exclusively applicable to old age; naturally, nobody is exempt from sustaining periods of illness or convalescence, for instance, after an accident - the use of crutches, a stick or a wheel-chair; the habit and the permanence of using these elements causes a particular experience of space, in which these elements become a part of the body scheme of their user. Although in some aspects, the design for third age is consistent with that for disabled people, there are many differences between a disabled person and an older person. We point out, now, only one important characteristic to be taken into account when studying the answers: generally, the older person is exposed to a superimposition of different kinds of physical and psychic deterioration. This superimposition must be pointed out, because the specific needs of older people will depend on it. If we have to face a disability in a young person, such as a reduced capacity to manoeuvre his/her fingers, we may apply a mono-command system for taps, and the problem would be solved. In the case of an older person, however, we must take into account his/her difficulty to incorporate new technologies to the daily life activities, and their resistance against the unknown. In some typologies, mainly those destined for the most severe disabilities, we find what Calkins calls "prosthetic" function, as they cannot cure the patient, but act as a social prosthesis for the patient and his/her family. In these times of major changes and the consequential variations in the age pyramid, it is extremely important to develop an advanced foresight enabling new developments related to this reality, in order to create solutions to new problems and at the same time, to generate new chances in terms of working fields. Thematic AreasDesign Area
In 2050, world population above 60 years of age will be around 2,000,000,000. The European country having the highest proportion of ageing population will be Spain. In Latin America, the country having the highest proportion of elderly population will be Argentina. By 2010, 63 percent of all older persons will live in developing countries. Today Latin American senior population amounts to 40.000.000 and in 25 years time it will reach almost 90.000.000. By the year 2025, Mexico's population above 60 years will be around 45.000.000. For the last 100 years in Argentina:
In Buenos Aires today, population over 60 represents 21.8% Due to the global phenomenon of variation of the population age-pyramid, the design of strategies aimed at solving the problems of this age segment is of great importance. |