Aligning Built Environments with Aging Body Capabilities: A Case Study of the Rama-Thanarak Senior Project
Keywords:
Elderly Housing, Falls, Design Standards, Universal DesignAbstract
This research analyzes the alignment between the physical limitations of elderly individuals and safety-oriented architectural design standards, using the Rama-Thanarak residential project as a case study. Risk factor statistics from a sample of 10,346 elderly individuals indicate that the most common limitations are the need for manual support when standing up (24.06%) and difficulty navigating changes in floor levels (20.24%). The bathroom was identified as the most challenging area in daily life (66.51%). Based on these findings, a safety design evaluation checklist was developed from the “Safe Home, No Fall Risk” guidelines, focusing on three key areas: bathroom spaces, internal circulation systems, and visual environments. The evaluation of the project’s smallest (31.71 sq.m.) and largest (49.66 sq.m.) unit plans shows strong alignment with Universal Design standards. Key design features include sliding doors wider than 0.9 meters, elimination of door thresholds to reduce tripping risks, and the provision of grab bars and shower seating to support users with reduced muscle strength. The study adopts a qualitative evaluative case study methodology using document analysis and architectural plan assessment. Alignment is defined as the degree of correspondence between the project’s design features and a synthesized 10-point Universal Design checklist. Limitations include reliance on plan documentation without on-site verification and analysis of only two unit types. The findings highlight that architecture responsive to the physical needs of older adults plays a crucial role in reducing accidents and enhancing quality of life sustainably.
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