Abbeyfield speaks at Age-inclusive design principles: Shaping a sense of belonging in later life event
Following a two-year government funded research project with The Royal College of Art and other industry partners, Cartwright Pickard Architects held an event yesterday which showcased a series of age-inclusive design principles to raise housing design standards and shape a greater sense of belonging in later life.
A panel of leading industry speakers from across the built environment, government and academia spoke to the research and shared their own thinking at the event.
Speakers included Abbeyfield’s Head of Development & Relationships, Abdul A Ravat , who talked about how to make later living more inclusive and equitable to best support a population that is growing in diversity.
Abdul says:
“It was an absolute privilege to be asked to join the Advisory Panel for this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to discuss and explore how good design for older people’s housing continues to evolve to provide inspiration and bring together academia, students, practitioners, and stakeholders to inform, innovate and influence what the sector does next given the headlines from the 2021 Census and to transition an economy and a housing offer that must confront the challenges of an ever increasing ‘ageing’ and ‘diverse’ population.?
“Since the seminal (2009) HAPPI report on good design for older people’s housing, annual design awards consistently demonstrate excellence in creating homes for “right-sizers”.? We know what “good” looks like and we want more of it. And to that end I congratulate the work undertaken through this KTP and the partners that came together to search for pioneering, mixed-use, later living typology for urban sites and town centres that could provide middle market and affordable build-to-rent housing for seniors. I was delighted when James Cartwright approached me and asked if I would assist and join the Advisory Panel.
“The KTP has recognised that ‘inclusive design should consider the broadest possible ranges of people, including those with different needs, cultures, impairments, or disabilities’.? After reviewing 55 leading later living projects across the globe and visiting 13 of the best to investigate further, the bold aim is to plan and provide flexible and adaptable solutions that respond to people across different ages, affordability, cultures, and faiths.
“Fundamentally it’s about creating, understanding, nurturing, and protecting choice - like so much of the debate on housing for our ageing society, for more people to live in safe, accessible, and affordable homes and environments which supports independence, removes isolation, loneliness, and values cultural sensitivity.
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“The ‘Ageing Well’ challenge is to improve the outcomes in housing and care for ALL older people who will increasingly encounter dementia as they approach later years.? The principles of ‘trusted people, trusted places, trusted design’ is critical.? But let me be clear there are stark differences in how people experience later life.
“The KTP research highlights a set of ‘age inclusive design principles and guidelines’ and is a major contribution in an increasingly crowded marketplace. I look forward to hearing of its impact through its adoption”.?
Thanks so much for your continued support and an insightful talk, Abdul.