Bathroom
prototypes win award
UB
architectural teams employs "univeral design" principles in
national competition
By PATRICIA
DONOVAN
Contributing Editor
A "universal
bathroom" developed by an architectural team from the School of Architecture
and Planning has won the Bronze Award in the 2001 American Society on
Aging (ASA) competition for new products for mature markets.
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This
"universal bathroom" prototype developed by a UB architectural
team has won a Bronze Award in a national competition for new products
for mature markets. |
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Photo:
Frank Miller |
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Abir Mullick,
associate professor of architecture and project director; Drew Kelly,
assistant professor of architecture, and Edward Steinfeld, professor
of architecture, won the award in the competition's professional category
and were recognized recently at the first joint conference of ASA and
the National Council on the Aging.
Their two
proposals for a convenient, flexible, colorful, attractive bathroom
are, like those for all universal-designed systems, designed for able-bodied
users, people with disabilities and for ease of use by caretakers of
dependent users. They are based on the premise that the room should
accommodate the user, not vice versa, and be able to be used with equal
ease by all persons, regardless of physical stature, age and level of
physical ability.
The award
was presented for two working bathrooms prototypes fabricated by the
UB team: a movable fixtures bathroom and a movable panels bathroom,
both of which, Mullick says, offer exceptional benefits to the manufacturer
and the consumer.
Changes
in bathroom design are necessary, he says, because bathroom technology,
which hasn't changed since bathrooms were invented, is not very functional.
Existing bathrooms, with permanently installed fixtures and a single
design for all users, do not work well for most people because every
person has different needs, he says.
"One bathroom
design for all users presupposes that they are identical individuals
and have no need for a personalized environment," Mullick adds.
He calls
them "clumsy, inefficient and dangerous for all of us at different times
in our liveswhen we are very young, ill, old or injured, for instance."
He says they are always dysfunctional for persons with permanently
disabling physical conditions and actually increase their dependence
on others.
"Many able-bodied
people also are disabled by the design of the bathroom when they are
unable to reach for accessories, open faucets or support themselves
in the shower," Mullick says.
This is
unfortunate and unnecessary, according to Mullick, because new and readily
available technologies make possible major innovations that can address
the needs of many different users at oncebathrooms that are "universal"
in safety and function.
The UB
bathroom prototypes reflect the social and inclusive philosophy of universal
design. They have the potential to unify diverse populations so that
no user group is excluded by their design. They encourage individualization
through the use of flexible components so users can adapt a bathroom
to suit their personal needs and preferences.
The award-winning
bathrooms are made up of several prefabricated units: a lavatory unit,
toilet unit, shower unit and support unit. They have running water,
drains, electricity and wall units that will fit even the smallest residential
bathroom space.
In these
bathrooms, movement and arrangements of panels and fixtures open up
the space in different ways to accommodate comfortable use by various
people, including children, the elderly and those who require assistance.
The sink and shower can be raised or lowered according to use preference,
and can be moved along the wall to enlarge spaces for those who use
walkers, wheelchairs or have caretakers.
In theory,
fixture movement creates three large shower, toilet and grooming spaces
in one small bathroom.
"The room
suits different body sizes, space preferences and makes it much easier
for users and caretakers to move freely in the space without being injured,"
Mullick says.
He notes
that the fixtures adjust in height to accommodate both seated and standing
users and individuals of different heights, including children.
He explains
that fixture movement is a result of innovations in existing plumbing
and drain technology that were used here in an unconventional manner.
This will prevent slips and falls due to wet floors and will allow the
bathroom to be hosed down for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Components
can be installed independently or together in various color combinations
and design styles. They can replace existing fixtures or be used in
new construction, and total installation costs and space requirements
are less than those of traditional bathrooms.
When designed
for use by a large population, the bathrooms offer manufacturers benefits
also"a competitive advantage and an increase in market share," Mullick
says.
"We've
designed the units not only for ease of operation, but for ease of maintenance,
repair and recycling. Their modular nature allows manufacturers to provide
continued service and production of replacement parts."
Although
the bathrooms are not yet available commercially, Mullick says several
major fixture companies are interested in manufacturing the components,
and hotel chains have expressed interest in installing them.
The project
was developed with assistance from the National Institute of Disability
and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education.
Mullick
and Kelly are affiliated with the UB Center for Inclusive Design and
Environmental Access (IDEA Center), the home of the UB Rehabilitation
Engineering and Research Center for Universal Design. Both are housed
in the School of Architecture and Planning and both directed by Steinfeld.
Mullick,
an industrial designer and urban planner, is one of the developers of
the principles of universal design. He calls this project "an excellent
example of how the universal design philosophy can create flexible environment
and produce innovative designs that are high in usability, convenience,
aesthetics, surprise and fun."
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