KBB - November/December 2014 - 44

TRENDS

Universal Design
for Everyone
Safety, function and aesthetics should
be part of the total design package
for today's homeowners
The concept of universal design is not a new one, but products for the
kitchen and bathroom that meet that standard are constantly evolving.
In fact, the term "universally designed" products that enable folks to age
in place in their own homes, appears to be falling into disfavor with some
manufacturers, who prefer the term "thoughtful design" or "purposeful
design." At the heart of this concept, though, is simply good, practical
design and one in which aesthetics are not sacrificed.

The "Whens" of Universal Design
Youth is not a lasting commodity, and sometimes consumer denial of
this fact can delay designing spaces that will be useful in later years. Generally if you build it, they will buy it - at any point in their lives - provided it
is a good, solid, design that is functional and features can't-live-without-it
technology.
The key is to not couch sales in terms of needing the product because
of a current or expected disability or lack of mobility. Most manufacturers
agree that if you design funky yet functional products, people will buy
them, and if ultimately the products fulfill a need down the road, they're
already in place.

Space Considerations
Even though it's still a place to cook and eat meals with family, the
purpose of the kitchen has changed over the past decade, as folks are
giving more thought to the "end game" and use of the kitchen, according
to Andy Wells, vice president of product design and trends at MasterBrand.
"Function of space as people age in place is very important. Can they
walk? Are they in a wheelchair? Do they have arthritis? Can they reach up
to those tall cabinets? All these things are very much in play," he added.
"Vertical living is the biggest trend. One in five people in metropolitan
areas are living in spaces smaller than 17 feet by 17 feet, so making good
use of space is critical."

Illness Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes,
so reducing the risk of illness in food preparation spaces is invaluable.
That's why touchless faucets make up about half of the kitchen products at Delta. Observational research in the kitchen space, conducted by
Delta over a period of time, revealed people awkwardly trying to turn on
faucets with their forearm when their hands were tainted with raw meat.

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44-46_KBB_1114_Trends.indd 44

(Top) American Standard Walk-In Baths make it safe and easy to
enter and exit the tub, and each includes a large walk-in tub door, a
built-in contoured seat, deep soaking dimension for a safe and comfortable full body bathing experience and the Quick Drain. Quick
Drain allows a fast water removal system and for the bath to drain in
two minutes, allowing the user to exit the bath quickly. Circle No. 228
or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
(Bottom left) The Lazy Susan from MasterBrand's Cabinetry by Diamond line offers center pullout sections inside for better storage and
easier access into the unit. The goal of these storage solutions is that
they enable everyone from shorter people to wheelchair users to not
have to strain to reach something on a high shelf. Circle No. 229 or
visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
(Bottom right) The Cassidy kitchen faucet collection from Delta features the company's Touch2O Technology and is available in pulldown, pullout, bar and prep and waterfall configurations. Once the
handle is turned to an on position, Touch2O Technology makes it
possible to turn on and off the faucet with a simple tap anywhere on
the spout or handle. Circle No. 230 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo

"We thought, wouldn't it be nice if you could touch the end of spout
with your forearm? And that is what led to whole idea of the Touch2O,"
said Judd Lord, senior director of industrial design for Delta Faucet. "Now
you don't have to grasp a handle to turn it on and off but can control the
faucet simply by a touch. You can use the tip of your nose or elbow or a
closed fist; you can be arthritic and have very little dexterity, and you don't
have to grasp anything to move the faucet."
Though it still requires some grasping, pull-down faucets are popular because you can fill a heavy pot without having to lift it. It's also an

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KBB - November/December 2014

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