Is Universal Design Green?

It was 5 years ago that John Salmen and I sat down to breakfast at The Biltmore at Coral Gables and discussed the future of Great Grabz, universal design and our aging population. We are in 2009, and the future is now. Here is a wonderful article written by one of the country's most innovative thinkers in the practical application of Universal Design in hospitality, commercial and residential projects. John Salmen is the founder of Universal Designers & Consultants at www.UniversalDesign.com and produces an online newsletter that should be on your reading list.

Universal Design Newsletter, Vol. 9, No. 8 (Oct. 2009)

Is UD Green?

By John P.S. Salmen, AIA

Inevitably, this question must be raised. As public awareness of green design swells to a tidal wave, many Students of UD think we see the next wave approaching – and its name is Universal Design.

But how do these waves relate to each other? Are they random swells? Or caused by undersea movement of the earth’s crust?

Valerie Fletcher, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Centered Design, and Elaine Ostroff, Founding Director along with Eric Mikiten, AIA of the Bay Area COTE, believe that they are both connected to the earth shaking movement of Sustainability. Eric presented his overview in detail at the AIA 2009 convention.

The trefoil logo, developed by the Department of Public Works of Queensland, Australia for its Smart House program. (www.build.qld.gov.au/smart_housing/elements/index.asp), communicated how these three universal design leaders visualize the “ three–legged stool of sustainable design.” The graphic above illustrates how universal design is a basic element of sustainable design, as it relates to resource efficiency and economic empowerment under the umbrella of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Environmental sustainability relates to the green movement and natural resource conservation and efficiency. Economic sustainability relates to concepts of life cycle costing, equity and fair trade value of products and services.

Social sustainability relates to systems that support people by creating safe, secure and independent communities.

When compared to financial and natural resources, human ability is arguably the most precious resource of all. Human ability is enabled, supported and encouraged by a universally designed environment that gives everyone the opportunity to participate with a minimum of outside support. Just as we must conserve our natural resources, we must also conserve our human resources. It is a waste of human potential to create environments that demand dependence when a simple change in the design of the path, space or element could allow un-assisted use. Like “green design” universal design must be an integral part of design programming and the imaginative design process. It cannot be left as an add-on in a minimal compliance mode.

The relationship between two people who are locked in the care giver/receiver dance, while frequently a loving and enriching experience, is difficult, uncomfortable, and too often destructive of human dignity. Independence is best and can be extended with universal design. The obvious example is aging in place, which is facilitated by universally designed homes and communities.

As we struggle to make the most of limited resources, the value of universal design as a tool to conserve human resources will become increasingly apparent, and its relationship to the broader goal of sustainability will become clear.

The link to sign up for the newsletter is at www.UniversalDesign.com then they just click on the Subscribe Now button.

Universal Design Living Laboratory (UDLL) Groundbreaking on 9/23 a Success!

09.24.2009 – More than 100 people including regional media attended ground breaking for the “National Demonstration Home” will be the first of its kind in the U.S.A. Part home and part educational lab – the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired project will incorporate universal design, green and healthy building elements. The Universal Design Living Laboratory is a national demonstration home and garden design project that will bring attention to three critical architectural design and building concepts: universal design, green sustainable building and healthy chemical-free materials.

This home will not only serve as the residence of project leaders Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D. and Mark Leder, but also will be used to teach residential and commercial builders, architects, landscape architects, designers, interior designers, manufacturer’s representatives/distributors, and home buyers. The 3,500 square foot ranch-style home will incorporate the finest craftsmanship and state-of-the-art products, technology and services.

Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D., internationally known speaker and advocate for people with disabilities with her husband, Mark Leder, are leading the national project. Rossetti and Leder married on June 10, 1995. Three years later, the couple’s lives were transformed forever while bicycling on a sunny afternoon. A 3.5 ton tree came crashing down on Rossetti. She was paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury – this was the beginning of a remarkable new journey. Visit UDLL.com or email Rosemarie at rosemarie@udll.com.

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Summer of Safety: Great Grabz partners with leading hotel chains to keep their bathrooms safe and stylish

Press Release: Summer of Safety: Great Grabz partners with leading hotel chains to keep their bathrooms safe and stylish

Tools to Aging Well

Life is busy, but as time clock continues to tick it is important to pamper our souls and our bodies. Managing a busy schedule can be stressful and it is this stress which increases the effects of aging on our bodies. Whether at home or away, every one starts and ends the day in the bathroom. This space should be an inviting, functional, and safe sanctuary that you can enjoy. Here are a few home improvement suggestions to make your bathroom the ideal place where to give your body the attention it needs to age well.

Lighting - Great lighting is the key to creating a functional and comfortable task area. Lights should come from more than one source. This helps to eliminate shadows and to clearly light all facial surfaces. Over head lighting combined with vanity sconces or lighted makeup mirrors are a great combination. Adequate lighting in the shower is important for safe stepping and to make reading labels on bottles more helpful.

Bring a bit of the spa home. A new trend for showers today is Chromatherapy, which is color light therapy. The use of colored lights is said to balance energy in the body as well as to help change a person’s mood. Many companies have incorporated this type of lighting into their shower heads to create a more relaxing shower experience. Retro-fit models can be purchased at your local home store and are easy to install.

Vanity Areas- Making space in your bathroom to sit can not only be a luxury, but it can be a back saver as well. Bending over a low vanity of holding a heavy blow dryer day after day can create unnecessary aches and pains. This space is also a great area to keep are cosmetics, medications etc. Organization is a key to reducing morning stress. A built in or stand alone vanity should have good storage space and easy to reach electrical outlets. This is also an ideal spot for lighted magnified mirrors. They come in a variety of magnification strengths and make it much easier to applying makeup, do skin cancer self checks and dental care.

Washlets – For many years the Japanese have enjoyed the luxury and convenience of self washing toilets. At first glance this may seem like an exotic idea, but upon further consideration you may find this to be a great part of your health maintenance routine. An integrated, self-cleaning nozzle extends to release a warm, soothing stream of aerated water, followed by a breeze of heated air for drying. These combined features provide the ultimate in personal cleansing. The Washlet can be attached to the seat of most standard toilets. A nearby electrical outlet must be available and can be easily added by a licensed electrician. These seats can be purch

ased from area plumbing showrooms and installed by a plumber.

Showers- Saving the best for last, there is no better way to start feel pampered than having a luxurious shower.

· Just as with the vanity area, having a seat in the shower is both safe and relaxing. It can be used for feet washing, leg shaving, or just a nice place to stay and let the warm water rush over you. A handheld shower device on a slide bar is also ideal to use while seated.

· Handhold showers are also great for when you don’t want to get your hair wet as well as great way to clean a big shower.

· Because of the wet surface, the shower can be the most dangerous place in the bathroom. To ensure safety in your bathroom sanc

tuary you should have a zero threshold shower entry to minimize risk of tripping. This also gives the shower a spa-like look.

· Grab bars are a great idea for the shower as well. Gone are the days where grab bars look institutional now you can buy grab bars that are both beautiful and safe without taking away from the design of your bathroom.

· For the ultimate relaxation, add a steam shower to your bathroom. A steam shower is an enclosure that merges a steam bath and a regular shower into one. Not only are steam showers calming, but they are also good for sinus infection relief, increases blood circulation, and flush out toxins and other impurities in the system.

A well designed and thoughtfully appointed bathroom can make it easy to pamper your self and enjoy comfortable time at the start end of every day. Men and women a like will enjoy some of the new amenities that are now available to make it easier to look and feel great.

Keeping Chefs of all Ages Safe

Microwaves have become an indispensible appliance in most American kitchens, but how did they come top be placed over the range? In and effort to save money and make kitchens smaller, home builders of the 80’s started installing combination built-in microwave-exhaust hoods above the range.

Placing the microwave over the range or cook top has caused many accidents and continues to present safety hazards for chefs of all ages.

• Heavy pans can tip when lifting out of an overhead microwave.


• Burns can be caused when steaming pots are on the range and the microwave is in use.


• Children can climb up on the range to use the microwave and be injured by hot burners.


• Having 2 cooking functions in one area can cause accidents during busy prep time.
  

Here are a few great locations for safe and family friendly microwave locations.

• A microwave can be placed on the counter top and built into cabinetry. This will allow for easy transfer from the counter into the appliance. (Above 36”)



• Drawer microwaves can be placed under the counter top. They are easy to use and they allow for lifting up of warmed foods vs. lifting down. These can also be used from a seated position. (Below 36”)



• A microwave can be installed under a raised counter top. This a great way to conceal the box but keep the buttons at a height the whole family can use. (Below 42”)
  

Great kitchen design starts with pre-planning. Microwave and appliance placement is the one of the first steps to ensuring a functional and safe kitchen. For more thoughts on safe kitchen design feel free to contact abbie@abbiejoan.com

Great Microwave Recipe

Healthy Potato Chips

PREP TIME
30 Min
COOK TIME
5 Min
READY IN
35 Min
SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 potato, sliced paper thin (peel optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

DIRECTIONS
Pour the vegetable oil into a plastic bag (a produce bag works well). Add the potato slices, and shake to coat.
Coat a large dinner plate lightly with oil or cooking spray. Arrange potato slices in a single layer on the dish.
Cook in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned (if not browned, they will not become crisp). Times will vary depending on the power of your microwave. Remove chips from plate, and toss with salt (or other seasonings). Let cool. Repeat process with the remaining potato slices. You will not need to keep oiling the plate.

How was safe was your stay?

Hotels around the world are updating and upgrading to meet the demands of the more discriminating traveller. It has become one of my favorite past times while travelling to evaluate the form and function of the hotel rooms.





I am not getting younger and neither are you. Are the hotel designers doing a good job of keeping us comfortable and safe while we are in our home away from home?

• Is there enough light to read in bed?
• Is there enough light to put on make up on in the bathroom or in the room?
• Is there a night light?
• Is there a safe way to get into the shower?
• Can I read the writing on the little bottles when I am in the shower?
• Does the tub have no slip surface?
• Is the bathroom floor slippery when wet?

These are just a few things to think about the next time you are in a hotel. Be critical and keep yourself safe. Using the comment card is a great way be heard and to help management give travellers the best possible experience.



Happy travels and send us photos of the best and the worst bathroom designs!