InnoRenew CoE is one of five partners working on the international Erasmus + project DESIRE – Design for all methods to create age-friendly housing.

In June and July, the InnoRenew researchers of DESIRE held two workshops to better understand the needs of older adults related to mental health in the built environment and to identify ergonomic features of the built environment important to older adults. Several professionals from architecture, ergonomics and health sciences participated in the workshops. The participants emphasized:

• mental health -> greenery, music, natural materials, homeliness, proper lighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, noise reduction, living spaces on the ground floor, and simple-to-use amenities
• ergonomics -> importance of dimensional adjustability of furniture and elements, safety handles, even floor, absence of doorsteps, anti-slip carpets, vicinity of the bathroom, placement and design of switches and sockets, and presence of exercise equipment

The participants agreed that the built environment should be safe and friendly and encourage older adults to be physically active.

This is the starting point of a project that aims to provide professionals in the building industry and home furnishings sector with the tools and skills to apply Design4All methods as an integral part of the design process, with the aim to create or adapt age-friendly housing as a solution for the well-being, comfort and autonomy of the older adults or dependents at home. In the end, it should be possible to consult all the components of this innovative curriculum in a platform with DESIRE’s concepts and contents.

For more information, visit the DESIRE project website or follow us using #DESIREprojectEU.