New | Universal design meets life span needs of home owners

A new generation of adults is adapting their homes to allow them to remain independent as long as possible. Some baby boomers are even planning for their eventual "ageing in place" as early as when they buy their first home or start a family.

Although often assumed to be solely for the disabled or elderly, "universal design" is a concept that advocates consideration of the long-term comfort and safety of spaces, products and services irrespective of age or ability.

"It is a design approach we should think about at the earliest possible stage, not simply after elderly people have a fall or are diagnosed with illnesses," says Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui, whose Hong Kong architectural studio Bean Buro recently renovated a 1,200-square-foot Ap Lei Chau apartment that unobtrusively integrates universal elements of flexibility, efficiency and safety into a contemporary home for a young couple.

"Many small Hong Kong apartment designs space are usually too tight for older users, with permanent joinery designs that are inflexible. Our idea was to create as much open space as possible to be inhabited by loose furniture that can be moved in the future," he says.

Integrating extra electrical wiring for sockets and data points all around a home also enables future adjustments without expensive changes to the fundamental servicing circuits.