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The mission of the AIA Design for Aging (DFA) Knowledge Community is to foster design innovation and disseminate knowledge necessary to enhance the built environment and quality of life for an aging society. This includes relevant research on characteristics, planning and costs associated with innovative design for aging. In addition, DFA provides outcome data on the value of these design solutions and environments. 

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Letter from the Chairs, May 2017

By Dodd M. Kattman AIA posted 05-08-2017 05:47 PM

  

Greetings readers,

Welcome to the first Blueprints for Senior Living in 2017. The theme is interior architecture and how it affects the way seniors live and interact. We hope you'll consider submitting an article for the next issue on universal design. Articles could feature buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to older people, people without disabilities, and people with disabilities. Please send the title of your proposed article and a short paragraph describing its contents to DFA@aia.org by July 12, 2017. We ask that articles be original submissions (no previously published work) and 200-800 words in length. You are highly encouraged to include pictures if they are available.

It was great to see many of our friends and colleagues at this year's Environments for Aging (EFA) conference in Las Vegas. We truly value the conference host, Emerald Group, for their support of our Knowledge Community as well as their dedication to those that we serve. Many of our Design for Aging Advisory Group members rolled their sleeves up and worked with students from the University of Las Vegas as they worked through a one-day design charrette. It’s satisfying to know that the next generation shares our passion creating engaging environments that serve older adults. Mark your calendar for next year’s EFA conference, April 21-24, 2018 in Savannah, Georgia.

The Design for Aging Review 14th edition call for entries will open this May. The Design for Aging Review (DFAR) program includes a juried exhibition, a companion book, and education programs. The program encompasses a broad view of facilities designed for senior citizens, including nursing homes, dementia care, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities. This is your chance to submit innovative planned or built projects for recognition in this prestigious program. In addition to publishing Merit award and Special Recognition projects in the biennial DFAR book, exposure will be extended to national conferences like LeadingAge, EFA, AIA, etc., as well as our expanded AIA web portal. Stay tuned!

Our mission is to foster design innovation, and share those insights with you. The DFA Knowledge Community information and membership is available to architects, providers and allied professionals who share our passion. We’re better together, so please help spread the word.

Sincerely,

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Dodd Kattman, AIA, LEED AP & Tim Mueller, AIA, LEED AP

2017 DFA Co-chairs

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Comments

05-11-2017 07:31 PM

I have a question. By "universal design" do you mean design for all, as in the definition of universal? For example, does a universally designed home have both eastern and western toilets? Are the counter heights adjustable for a 4'-6" person, as well as a 6'-9" person? Are the doors wide enough to allow a person weighing 1,000 pounds to pass through? Are the smoke alarms both audible and visual? Can a person with one arm easily operate all elements of the house unaided? Is the building just as energy efficient in the Sahara as it is in Alaska?

If "yes" is not the answer to all the questions, then the term "universal" is not the correct adjective. And if the AIA is not using correct terminology, it is at least an embarrassment to all members. Maybe a term such as "Considered Design" could be more appropriate, in that universal questions have been considered, but not necessarily acted on.