KBB - May/June 2015 - 16

UNIVERSAL DESIGN

The Modern Family - Designing
for Multigenerational Living
According to a 2010 Pew Research report, 21.6 percent of Americans
are living in multigenerational households - the highest since the 1950s.
During the 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in January, panelists Mitzi
Beach, national speaker and educator on design issues for Baby Boomers; Richard Anuszkiewicz, executive director of the kitchen-bath division
of Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects and NKBA 30 Under 30 alum; Brittany
Gardner, interior designer at American Woodmark Corporation and 30
Under 30 alum; Laurie March, HGTV interior designer; and Pietro (Pete)
A. Giorgi, Sr., owner/founder of Giorgi Kitchens & Designs, Inc., discussed
how to design for this changing landscape and what the future for multigenerational living looks like.

The Cause
Most designers attribute the move toward multi-generational living to
a struggling economy, but the ever-aging population also has a hand in
it. A signiﬁcant number of the 76.4 million Baby Boomers, many of whom
are in the later stages of life, are experiencing unexpected ﬁnancial struggles because of diminishing property value. In this case, Boomers are actually moving in with their elderly parents, just like Millennials (Gen Y) are
also more often moving back in with their parents.

A signiﬁcant number of the 76.4 million
Baby Boomers, many of who are in the
later stages of life, are experiencing
unexpected ﬁnancial struggles because
of diminishing property value.
"Millennials graduated college but had hard times ﬁnding good jobs
with salaries to support the lifestyles they are accustomed to," explained
Gardner. "Then to be in the best school district or a home with room for
a family to grow is over budget. Moving in with family means more help
around the house and the ability to purchase a nicer and larger home."

Designing for Privacy and Personal Schedule
"Good design does not just happen; good design is calculated," said
Beach."It's a fallacy to think people are going to move in together, and it's
going to be one big happy family."
A recipe for disastrous family relations that can add a challenge to a

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sometimes already-challenging situation is not enough privacy.
"A key component to living together and having privacy is creating
separate entrances and having some separate living/relaxing spaces
like terraces, balconies or a sitting/reading area," said Gardner.
Everyone has his or her own clock, and trying to make changes to a
schedule will also create tension.
With a separate entrance, the early riser and the night owl can still live
in peace without waking the other.Two or three generations living together
deal differently with certain noises and light, making sound resonance
and light temperatures and levels vital considerations in design.
"Each generation has their own take on what is important in the space
and how they function or use it," said Anuszkiewicz. "This can create challenges across the board."
Here are some suggestions to making a kitchen and/or bathroom
user friendly for everyone living in the space.

Making a Home Everyone Friendly
* Create multi-functional spaces that can be easily transformed over time.
* Add kitchenettes and full bathrooms to basements or lofts for future suites.
* Build multiple master suites - often one upstairs and downstairs.
* Keep the ﬂoor level for easy walking and avoid plush carpet.
* Keep doorways and walkways large enough to ﬁt both wheelchairs and
baby strollers.

Making a Kitchen Everyone Friendly
* Remove the microwave above the cooktop, as it is a hazard for everyone - especially the elderly.
* Incorporate undercabinet lighting so everyone can see the countertop.
* Integrate ergonomics with pullouts, rollout trays and pulldown cabinetry.
* For appliances, consider an induction range for safety reasons.
* Switch out door knobs to lever pulls for more ease of use.

Making a Bathroom Everyone Friendly
* Take out that tub/shower combo, and put in a shower unit with a seat,
handheld faucet and handrail - all now available in modern, subtle
designs.
* The toilet should be comfort height with a grab bar nearby.
* For an aging family, consider a ﬂoating vanity or space with extra knee
room for sitting down or to accommodate a wheelchair.
* Add nightlights and tilted mirrors for better visibility.
* Keep the space as barrier free as possible. n

May/June 2015 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

- By Erinn Waldo

http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

KBB - May/June 2015

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