Building and Renovation Marked by Perpetual Change
Foresighted Planning – More Comfort and Aesthetics with „Universal Design“
There is hardly a matter as current as the future! This as well goes for living and specifically means: Concerning the furnishing and equipping of one‘s own four walls, it is advisable to consider the needs of tomorrow today already. This is because a house, just like its occupants, has its own cycle of life. Environment, size, division, style of furnishing and many more aspects are, in most of the cases, adjusted to the personal planning of life and family.
The vital question is: How can house owners make sure they can stay in their home at an old age without the need to once again considerably invest in a furnishing and technology as threshold-free as possible? And: How is a balance to be found between comfort, ergonomics and aesthetics?
A groundbreaking approach at, in time, getting adjusted to changes - first and foremost: future needs - is the new catchword “Universal Design“. It stands for a special demand on product design and (interior) architecture. Thresholds, at doors or in the shower for instance, do not only disturb people who, due to illness or age, have lost part of their mobility. Younger people as well benefit from a barrier-reduced furnishing improving comfort.
In the process. „Universal Design“ considerably goes beyond the standards of „barrier-free building“ many people know from hospitals or seniors‘ facilities. The design typical of this is very functional but at first sight already it shows their users to be physically limited in some way or another. Who would like to let his guests enter his home bathroom, where they immediately will get the impression that the occupants are particularly “in need of help“?
Ergonomics and Aesthetics are not a Contradiction
There is another way, though. “Universal Design“ resolves the apparent contradiction of, on the one hand, ergonomics and functionality and, on the other hand, aesthetics and style. A perfect example is the shower tub on floor level. No threshold, no stumbling trap, a lot of comfort, optically impeccable! Another idea pointing in the same direction is a fitting for straps at the WC. By means of modern pre-wall installation technology, not only the flushing cistern disappears “behind the wall“. The straps are mounted only on demand without the need for major conversion.Supplementary conversion is considerably more expensive than foresighted planning. This as well goes for the safe and simple operating of the fittings. For the wash basins, GROHE recommends one-hand mixers, e. g. “Tenso“, which can be adjusted easily and at the same time look beautiful.
Simple and Safe Operating
Modern thermostat technology which lightning-fast and automatically balances changes of pressure in the water pipes protects all users under the shower. New GROHE thermostats automatically restore within fragments of seconds the temperature chosen by the user, without the need for additional adjustment. Easily legible scale handles and intuitive turning directions of the handles also help those whose sight is not optimal.
The reduction of thresholds at the floor-level shower almost is natural. But the tub as well in this respect can be improved utilizing a clever idea. Integrated into the floor, easy to reach via two or three steps, this solution not only is particularly comfortable but an eye-catcher just the same. And this is what it is about as well – to create a nice ambience in which to feel good in later days still.
What ist "Universal Design"?
In Germany, the catchword “Universal Design“ is relatively new. Originally, it comes from Japan, where the share of older people of the population is particularly high.
Here as well quite often many generations live under one roof where all occupants - irrespective of their age, sight or mobility – have to be able to operate the present objects, the house technology for instance.
As a consequence, the general demand occured for products conceived in a way that persons, no matter what age, sex and overall physical state, can easily operate objects in their environment.
Via the USA (there called “Design for all“) the subject eventually reached Central Europe, where the demographic conditions are similar, especially in Germany and Italy. Here as well, the changing demands of a society with an average age continually rising increasingly have to be taken into consideration.
Today’s senior citizens do not feel “old“, let alone want to be treated like that. Therefore, the objects produced for these people may not generate the impression of the need of help. “Universal Design“ consistently picks up this demand, for instance on the field of interior design, furnishing and house technology. Products and objects designed in this way, therefore, are not only ergonomic and functional, but aesthetically valuable and attractive just the same. As one of the first German brand manufacturers, GROHE has adopted this philosophy, defining the qualities of “Universal Design“ in the bathroom.
