Kitchen & Bath Business July/August 2022 - 20

LEARNING
CORNER
Five Reasons Why Designers Need
the New Planning Guidelines
NKBA recently published the fourth edition of the updated resource
prepared the new book. " [Th e Guidelines] are
designed to help us create safe and functional
kitchens [and bathrooms] that are accessible
for all, " added Walter.
Th e following are fi ve key updates to the latest
NKBA " Planning Guidelines. "
1. EXPANDED ACCESSIBILITY
One of the biggest changes to the " Planning
Guidelines " is the expanded material on accessibility,
focusing on one, all-encompassing
approach regardless of physical or cognitive
ability, age or gender. Since the kitchen, bath
and support spaces are used by everyone at
all stages in life, the change is a welcome and
timely addition.
" As designers, we can do a lot to make adjustments
in the client's home environment, "
said Walter. " ADA does not apply to singlefamily
residential, the world in which most
of us design, but that doesn't relieve us of the
humanitarian responsibility to design for our
clients' abilities. "
" At nearly 300 pages, the newest release
is the most complete collection of
illustrations and planning recommendations
available in one source. "
AFTER TWO YEARS of working on the latest edition, the National Kitchen
& Bath Association (NKBA) released the fourth edition of its " Planning
Guidelines. " At nearly 300 pages, the newest release is the most
complete collection of illustrations and planning recommendations
available in one source for design professionals dedicated to the planning
and installation of code-compliant kitchens and baths.
Th e " NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines: With Support
Spaces and Accessibility " is available digitally on Apple Books and
Amazon, and a physical copy will be released soon.
" Th e new " Planning Guidelines " is the key document in NKBA's library, "
said Doug Walter, AIA, CMKBD, an architect in Denver. Walter,
along with a group of other registered architects, educators and NKBACertified
Master Kitchen & Bath designers, wrote, illustrated and
20
/ JULY-AUGUST 2022
ABOVE Project by designer
Reisa Polla, photos by
Amanda Oster & Stephen Li
2. INCLUSION OF SUPPORT SPACES
Designers work on more than just kitchens
and bathrooms. Th is has become even more
prevalent since the pandemic shifted people's
perception of the home and how they use the
individual spaces.
Th e " Planning Guidelines " include important
information for support spaces such as laundry
rooms, sewing areas, closet storage, home gyms
and exercise areas, indoor saunas and home offi
ces. Th e additional information will better assist
designers, helping them identify new design
opportunities throughout the home.
3. ADDITION OF OUTDOOR SPACES
Another big change to the new " Planning
Guidelines " is the coverage of outdoor spaces,
which was not included in previous editions.
Th e latest version features parameters for outdoor
spaces, notably outdoor kitchens, that will
assist kitchen and bath designers with code
compliance, planning and design.
Kitchen & Bath Business July/August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business July/August 2022
