Livable Housing Core Design Features
Australian homes have transformed greatly in recent years but it’s important to make sure that the focus is on making them more versatile for our future. The key features of livable housing designs are that they can adapt as circumstances change and that the house can evolve with changing needs. It’s crucial that the housing industry gets on board with these livable housing design standards to ensure that the needs of people can be met at all stages of their life.
Livable Housing Australia (LHA) is a national organization that promotes and monitors the certifications of Livable Houses.
Core Design Features
Easy to Enter
There is a safe, continuous step-free pathway from the street entrance and/or parking area to a dwelling entrance as well as into the dwelling itself.
Easy to Move in and Around
Internal doors and corridors facilitate comfortable and unimpeded movement between spaces. The ground or entry level has a toilet to support easy access for home occupants and visitors. The bathroom and shower are designed for easy and independent access for all current and future home occupants.
Designed to Anticipate and Respond to Changing Needs
The bathroom and toilet walls are built to enable grabrails to be safely and economically installed.
Capable of Effortless & Cost-Effective Adaptation
Where installed, stairways are designed to reduce the likelihood of injury and also enable future adaptation.
LHA report that international research shows that it’s 22 times more efficient to design for adaptability up front, so why not plan for the unexpected? You can find out more about the Livable Housing Certification Process and how Optimal Living therapy can assist you with your needs here.
