According to Transgenerational Design Matters, the concept of “transgenerational design” means: The practice of making products and environments compatible with those physical and sensory impairments associated with human aging and which limit major activities of daily living. We think you can take the concept of transgenerational design a step further, and apply it as it pertains to homes in which multiple generations live and use the same space in different ways. How can you design your kitchens and bathrooms so they are safe for children, functional for parents, and usable by grandparents? TDM Principles says it best: “In short, transgenerational designs accommodate rather than discriminate, and innovate rather than replicate.” Let’s talk about that a bit further…
Universal Design and Transgenerational Design
We think of universal design and transgenerational design philosophies as inexorably intertwined. The term “universal design” was termed in the 1980s by Architect Ron Mace, who defined it as: the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” You can see that both universal and transgenerational designs embrace common goals: accessibility, versatility, comfort and convenience, as well as a dedication to aesthetics. The look should not be institutional; the design should be functional without being obvious, blending into the total look of a home.
Transgenerational design: In the kitchen
How can you make your kitchen work for every member of your household, or to take your family through several generations? We have several suggestions:
Transgenerational design: In the bathroom
Making the bathroom work for people of varying ages and abilities can be a challenge as well. Here are just a few suggestions for creating a universal, transgenerational bathroom space:
If you are building a new home or remodeling your current one, stop in to Cabinets & Designs and talk with one of our designers about creating a universal, transgenerational living space for your family.