Design Challenge Toolkit: Flexibility Over Time

Interior and Living Areas

Flexibility Over Time

Just as families change in size and composition over time, the interior spaces in a home can adjust to meet evolving lifestyles and needs. Modular design ideas build around a central spine that offers innovative flexibility by adding or removing modules. This customization approach accommodates changing household compositions and sizes: a new baby, a second child, kids leaving for college, empty nesters and aging parents. Modular design ideas typically provide a customized interior at a relatively low cost for each new configuration. Keep in mind that modular flexibility is not for daily or weekly adjustments, but rather provides flexible options over many years through various life events and lifestyle changes.

Cost
$$$$

Difficulty
High

Some renovation costs will be lower than standard homes due to minimizing needed renovations over time: doors and walls don’t need to be remodeled to be changed. Needs an installer.

How-to tip

A renovation may require the removal of structural walls and the installation of load-carrying beams. New flooring may also be needed. Moveable furniture will make this flexible design easier to convert from mostly closed to fully open (the backs of furniture should be hidden with the open doors). There are several moving wall systems to explore.

Principles Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities. Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility.

Analytics Innovation Designs that go beyond the ordinary and customary can have wonderful outcomes: adding natural light, bringing the outside in, enhancing the spaciousness of smaller spaces, improving interior connections all. Sustainability This is often considered environmental ecology or the preservations and enhancement of the natural world as much as possible. Universal design provides a matching set of values: social ecology, which allows the full integration of al individuals with family and community life. A sustainable approach uses less building materials and less waste because of a diminished amount of removed and demolished sections of the home. Projects also enhance sustainability because potential renovations are eliminated or reduced such as by adding or subtracting interior wall panels and modules instead of needing major rebuilding and renovations.

Home Today, Home Tomorrow Universal Design Toolkit For Home Owners For Architects and Builders

Flexibility Over Time

How-to tip