Designing washrooms for multi-ability use is a sensitive process and the influx of products combining style and substance means architects are spoilt for choice. Lisa Ward of Bristan offers expert guidance
When planning a residential development, architects face the challenge of appealing to the widest possible audience. While research may be carried out among potential buyers, it’s often impossible to determine the profile of the occupants and their needs.
Some properties will be targeted to a certain market – like city penthouse apartments and retirement homes – but for standard developments, one size must ultimately fit all. When looking at standard housing, it’s crucial to secure the broadest possible appeal. In terms of achieving this, the bathroom is second only to the kitchen as the hub of a home and has the potential to provide a serious selling point.
However, a proportion of potential buyers are likely to find conventional bathroom products and layouts difficult to negotiate, for example elderly people and the very young, people with disabilities or reduced mental capacity or mobility.
Why design matters
The rise of multigenerational living means that different generations – with different needs – are often living under one roof. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2012 figures showed a 30 per cent increase in the number of multigenerational homes over the last decade. In addition, according to the Intergenerational Foundation think tank, over half a million households have at least three generations living under one roof, and that number is expected to rise further by 2019.
It has also been estimated the next 20 years will see the number of people aged 85 and older double to over three million. This is just part of the whole picture which defines the great need for homes that facilitate independent living. For architects, designing accessible bathrooms is a viable option to ensure wider appeal, but it’s also proved a challenging aspect of the planning and design work.
Reshaping the space
In the past, bathrooms for people with reduced physical or mental capabilities looked like they belonged in a hospital ward rather than the home. This has posed a problem for architects to make such washrooms attractive to potential buyers. When installing easy-to-use, accessible amenities, architects ran the risk of creating a space that could serve as a constant reminder of illness and disability. Fortunately, things have moved on and today it is simpler than ever to create a stylish bathroom that can be used safely and easily by people with different abilities.
Wetrooms
A major recent phenomenon is the wetroom. Over the last few years, wetrooms have experienced a huge resurgence in line with minimalist trends and an increasing consumer desire for luxurious open spaces. In fact, according to recent research by Anglian Home Improvements revealed 43 percent of people would choose to add a wetroom to their home.
Wetrooms are appealing to styleconscious buyers and are also easy to use by all, offering the benefits of a shower installation while eliminating many of the possible hazards. One important advantage of a wetroom is that there is no need to delineate the shower area, so all of the space can be fully utilised. This gives more space to manoeuvre with a walking aid or shower chair. Moreover, as the whole of the bathroom area has a level floor, the risk of tripping is reduced and it can be further minimised by installing non-slip vinyl flooring.
Shower safety
Shower installations have traditionally been of the TMV3 mixer type, feeding off the stored hot water system, but it is now possible to have a bespoke electric shower designed for ease and safety of use. Aesthetics have also progressed and manufacturers are now producing ultra-safe shower designs appropriate for a domestic property.
A thermostatic electric shower can be set to deliver heated water at a safe temperature and the maximum water temperature can be changed at installation to suit more temperature-sensitive users. Certain models meet the British Electrotechnical Approvals Board (BEAB) care standard and have Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) endorsement.
These incorporate features designed for the elderly and less able which facilitate independent showering, like large, easy-to-move dials, raised markings and audible clicks when settings are adjusted, as well as illuminated stop/start buttons, LED digital setting displays, grey contrasting back boxes, longer riser rails and handle-style dials.
Grab rails
A potential barrier to the inclusion of wetrooms in new developments is the fact that gravity drainage is not always an option. This can be overcome by the use of a level-access pump (LAP) which provides a reliable solution for waste water. For builds specified to embed accessibility features, grab rails are essential.
They need to be thick enough for someone with a condition like arthritis to be able to grip, with a non-slip or textured surface. Residents with visual impairment need to be considered, so a strong contrasting colour should be chosen. Shower seats should also be available and these can either be removable or fold down to enable the shower to be accessible to users of all ranges of mobility.
Straight rails offer a good aid for those with limited mobility, or simply to offer reassurance for those who are nervous about their balance, but an angled rail should be positioned adjacent to shower seats to aid users’ movement.
Layout
The bathroom layout should be planned for optimal comfort, with adequate space provided. Having taken specialist advice from an occupational therapist, the Bristan specification team can help with critical measurements to ensure that products are appropriately positioned and a comfortable, easy-to-use environment is created.
Balancing the necessity for accessible facilities with a design that is attractive to buyers of all abilities can be challenging. However, when it comes to the bathroom there is an increasingly wide range of products for architects wishing to provide housing which is comfortable and inclusive.
Lisa Ward is group product manager at Bristan Aesthetics have progressed and manufacturers are now producing ultra-safe shower designs appropriate for a domestic property.