Great ideas to make your home “user-friendly”

Feb 27, 2013

1. Equitable Use – The design is useful and marketable to people with any ability. (Who wants to have to bend down to find that missing sock, make things easier for everyone)

2. Flexibility of Use – The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities. (Grab bars don’t have to look institutional)

3. Simple and Intuitive Use – Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or education level. (a programmable thermostat that learns your patterns)

Nest Thermostat

4. Perceptible Information – The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities. (design should allow everyone to feel comfortable)

5. Tolerance for Error – The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions. (don’t get burned by hot water or let your kids get burned)

6. Low Physical Effort – The design can be used efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue. (Ever wanted to sit down for a bit after a long day while starting dinner prep)

7. 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. (Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to move that furniture around the room, up the stairs, or out the door without taking out a window)

Related Posts

Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 5 of 5)

Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 5 of 5)

Phase 4, known as construction administration, starts with dirt moving as construction begins. We stay available ...
Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 4 of 5)

Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 4 of 5)

Phase 3 (2 or more months), also known as construction documents phase, takes all the decisions and testing we ...
Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 3 of 5)

Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 3 of 5)

Phase 2 (2 or more months), also known as design development, takes these high-level concepts and starts creating ...
Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 2 of 5)

Thinking of Building a Luxury Home in Central Virginia? (Part 2 of 5)

Phase 1 (1 or more months) of the design process, known as schematic design, is a discovery period for us and you. ...
No results found.

Discover more from The Gaines Group Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading