UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED NORANITA MANSOR FRSB 2008 10
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES
FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED
NORANITA MANSOR
FRSB 2008 10
USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED
By
NORANITA MANSOR
Thesis Submitted To The School Of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, In Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Degree Of Master of Science
AUGUST 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ABSTRACT ii ABSTRAK iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi APPROVAL viii DECLARATION x LIST OF TABLE xi LIST OF FIGURES xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ NOTATIONS/ GLOSSARY OF TERM xvii CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION Research Background 1 Statement of the Problem 5 Objectives of the Study 8 Research questions 8 Significance of research 9 Focus of study 10 Definitions of terms 12 Anticipated Finding 16 Structure of the Thesis 17 Summary of chapter 18
2 LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction 19 Housing issues and older people 22 Older people and built environment 26 28 Overview Universal Design 32 Universal Design in Housing 33 Universal design versus other concepts in built
environment
Universal Design Theory 39 UD as Social Inclusion 40 UD as Social Reality as Probabilistic 40 UD as Social Reality not as Value Free 41 From UD Theory to Practice 42 Designing for Future 46 Architectural barrier related to older people 48 Architectural barrier that incline people to live
independently 51
Design features 55 Universal Design Assessment and Evaluation 58 Theoretical framework 63 Summary of chapter 65
3 METHODOLOGY Introduction 68 Research goal 68 Case Study as a research strategy 70 Research design 72 Research Question 72 Research proposition 73 Unit of Analysis 74 Linking data to propositions 74 The criteria for interpreting the finding 76 Data Collection 78 Sampling Method 81 Unit of analysis 83 Data analysis 87 Reliability and validity of research 88 Summary of the Chapter 89
4 FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS Introduction 90 Finding and data analysis of respondents and their
house profiles (Stage I) 91
Site Survey Checklist and Walk-Through (Stage II) 96 Universal Design Performance Measures (Stage III) 131 Summary of the chapter 184
5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 187 Summary of research findings 189 UD Principles in house environment to enable people
to live independently 194
Recommendations 199 Summary of the chapter 217
6 CONCLUSION Summary of research question 219 Direction of future research 223
REFERENCES/ BIBLIOGRAPHY 226 APPENDICES 234 BIODATA OF THE STUDENT 255
ii
Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment
Of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES
FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED
By
NORANITA MANSOR
AUGUST 2008
Chairman: Associate Professor Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Faculty: Design and Architecture
Most houses built today will most likely be occupied in the next fifty years. The
houses that people choose to reside in are unchanged and often tend to
disregard the changes in people’s life especially toward age and ability. For that
reason, this research attempts to evaluate the existing design features in house
environment to accommodate life transitions as the population grows by using
Universal Design (UD). UD is an integrated, inclusive and creative form of design
that evaluates whether design features in house environment are usable and
accessible for a diverse population by a set of seven principles. The UD
principles are adopted as the theoretical framework in this research. The case
study method was used in this research consisting of six purposive non-random
samples selected from residents residing at a local housing development in
Malaysia as the unit of analysis. The residents of these units average fifty-five
and above in age and have resided their homes since 1980-1985. Three stages
of data collection were used to link the findings to the proposition. They are i) In-
iii
depth interview, ii) Site Survey Checklist with Walk-Through Observation and iii)
Universal Design Performance Measure. Findings from the research shows that
the existing design features tend to generate problems to the residents as their
physical abilities change with age. Hence, this research concludes that there is
need for a new design approach basing on UD for creating usable and
accessible design features to support people living independently in their chosen
environment as they age. The results are expected to become the basis for
housing professionals, architects, interior designers, policy-makers in future
environmental design for the aging population. Future studies are recommended
to develop a UD performance measure for Malaysia that could address the need
to support the growing aged population in the country.
iv
Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains
CIRI REKA BENTUK YANG MUDAH DIGUNAPAKAI DAN SENANG DICAPAI DI DALAM RUMAH DI MALAYSIA UNTUK HIDUP BERDIKARI DI USIA TUA
Oleh
NORANITA MANSOR
Disember 2007
Pengerusi: Profesor Madya Dr. Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Fakulti: Rekabentuk dan Senibina
Kebanyakan rumah yang dibina hari ini, akan terus didiami lebih dari pada lima
puluh tahun akan datang. Rumah yang dipilih untuk didiami boleh dikatakan satu
reka bentuk yang kekal dan tidak berubah seperti mana penghuninya terutama
ianya tidak mengikut peredaran umur dan keupayaan manusia. Atas sebab
tersebut, kajian ini akan mengkaji semula ciri reka bentuk sedia ada yang
terdapat di dalam rumah untuk didiami oleh penghuninya disepanjang hidup
mereka sejurus peningkatan populasi umur manusia dengan menggunakan
“Universal Design” (UD). UD adalah gabungan menyeluruh antara kreativiti dan
rekabentuk dalam menghasilkan reka bentuk yang mudah digunapakai dan
senang dicapai oleh berbagai populasi manusia melalui tujuh rangkaian prinsip
UD dan ianya digunakan sebagai landasan teori utama di dalam kajian ini. Kajian
v
kes merupakan teknik utama digunapakai, melibatkan enam “purposive non-
random” responden yang terdiri dari penduduk yang menduduki Taman
perumahan tempatan sebagai analisa unit. Responden adalah yang berusia di
dalam lingkungan umur lima puluh lima tahun keatas dan telah mendiami rumah
mereka sejak dari tahun 1980-1985. Tiga peringkat pengumpulan data dibuat
untuk mengaitkan penemuan dengan usul kajian iaitu; i) temu bual secara
mendalam, ii) “Site Survey Checklist with Walk-Through Observation” dan iii)
“Universal Design Performance Measure”. Hasil dari pengumpulan maklumat,
kajian ini mendapati responden mengalami beberapa masalah semasa
menggunakan reka bentuk sedia ada di dalam rumah disebabkan perubahan
keupayaan dan peningkatan usia . Sebagai kesimpulan keseluruhan, UD adalah
satu cara yang praktikal yang patut digunakan untuk membantu penghuni terus
tinggal secara berdikari di dalam rumah sedia ada.. Hasil kajian ini diharap bakal
menjadi rujukan kepada badan profesional yang terlibat dalam bidang
perumahan seperti arkitek, para pereka , pemaju dan penggubal polisi pada
masa hadapan dalam mereka bentuk persekitaran yang mudah digunapakai dan
senang dicapai. Kajian lanjutan adalah mengembangkan “UD performance
measure” untuk persekitaran rumah di Malaysia yang akan menitikberat kepada
sokongan pertambahan bilangan penduduk yang meningkat usia tua di negara
ini.
vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My greatest and foremost gratitude and thank you to Allah S.W.T for bless me to
reach this stage. I would like to thank Dr. Azizah Salim, my supervisor, for her
support and encouragement for me throughout the process.
I thank Dr. Ahamd Hariza for his continuous encouragement and advices for me
from the moment I start to write the proposal toward the end.
I would like to thank En Nasir for his professional advice. He provided me useful
information and comments about my research topic at various stages of my
research.
I would like to extend my gratitude and love to dearest husband Mr Norman Faiz
Pang for his consistent support and encouragement, without him I could not
finish this work. To my love little one Sharmine Pang, I love you so much and
sorry for the hard time that I give to you throughout the year.
Most importantly, I would like to thank my family. Their devoted love and
supports made this work possible. To my parents Tuan Haji Mansor Abdullah
and Puan Hajjah Maimunah, my sister Mardziah and to all my bothers I am
grateful for their love and support that they always showed me. Without their
love, I could not finish this work.
vii
I certify that an Examination Committee has met on date of viva to conduct the final examination of Noranita Mansor on her Master of Science thesis entitled The “Usable And Accessible Design Features In Malaysia Houses To Enable People To Live Independently As They Age” in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows: Dr Hjh Rahinah Ibrahim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Dr Sharifah Norazizan Syed Abd. Rashid, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Human Ecology Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Dr Kamariah Dola, PhD Senior Lecturer Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Dr Julaihi Abd. Wahid, PhD Associate Professor School of housing, building and planning Universiti Sains Malaysia (External Examiner)
________________________________ Bujang Kim Huat, PhD Professor and Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
viii
This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows: Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Ahmad Hariza B. Hashim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Human Ecology Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Nasir Baharuddin Senior Lecturer Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
_____________________________ HASANAH MOHD GHAZALI, PhD Professor and Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 10 December 2009
ix
DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.
____________________ NORANITA MANSOR
Date: 14.10.2009
x
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page 1.1 Universal Design Principles
12
2.2 Pattern Matching (Theory and Case Study)
66
3.1 Pattern matching (Theory and case study)
76
3.2 Score point
78
4.1 Data analysis of respondents and their house profile
93
4.2a Site entrance
102
4.2b Entrance Features: entry door
103
4.2c Entrance features: door Size
104
4.2d Entrance Features: Floor surface
105
4.2e Entrance Features: door handles
106
4.2f Entrance Features: opening clearance
107
4.3a Interior door: Size of doorway
109
4.3b Interior door: size: Toilet door
110
4.3c Interior door: size: Bedroom
111
4.3d Interior door: floor surface: doorway
112
4.3e Interior door: floor surface: Toilet door
113
4.3f Interior door: floor surface: Bedroom
114
4.3g Interior door: Door handle: doorway
115
4.3h Interior door: Door handle: Toilet door
116
4.3i Interior door: Door handle: Bedroom
117
4.3j Interior door: Door clearance: doorway
118
xi
4.3k Interior door: Door clearance: Toilet door
118
4.4a Staircase features: Staircase design
121
4.4b Staircase features: Handrail design
122
4.4c Staircase features: Railing
123
4.4d Staircase features: Handrail size
124
4.4e Staircase features: Railing treatment
125
4.5 Comparison of UD features and existing design features
127
4.6a Electrical appliances: Location
129
4.6b Electrical appliances: Height
130
4.6c Electrical appliances: Type
131
4.7 Description of scale
134
4.8 Usable and accessible score method
134
4.9a Section one: The width of entrance door
135
4.9b Entrance door: Summary score
136
4.10a Section two: Entry door floor surface
144
4.10b Entry door floor surface floor surface: summary score
144
4.11a Section three: type of door handle
151
4.11b Door handle: summary score
151
4.12a Section four: Door opening
159
4.12b Door opening: summary score
159
4.13a Section Five: Staircase design 165
xii
4.13b Staircase design: summary score
165
4.14a Section Six: Handrail
171
4.14b Handrail design: summary score
172
4.15a Section seven: Location and position of electrical switches and outlet
179
4.15b Location and position of electrical switches and outlet: summary score
179
5.1 UD Principles with Practical recommendations in house to enable people to live independently as they age
202
5.2 Main entrance
204
5.3 Door handle
205
5.4 Entrance floor surface
207
5.5 Staircase design 208
5.6 Handrail features
210
5.7 Railing treatments
211
5.8 Railing features
212
5.9 Internal door features
214
5.10 Interior door opening features
215
5.11 Appliances location
216
5.12 Height of electrical appliances
218
5.13 Height of electrical outlet
220
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page
2.1 Research framework
65
3.1 Data collection process
80
3.2 Process of samples selection
83
4.1a Entrance door: Principle One: Equitable use
137
4.1b Entrance door: Principle Two: Flexibility in use
138
4.1c Entrance door: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
139
4.1d Entrance door: Principle four: Perceptible information
140
4.1e Entrance door: Principle five: Tolerance for error
141
4.1f Entrance door: Principle Six: Low physical effort
142
4.1g Entrance door: Principle Seven: Size and space approach and use
143
4.2a Entry door floor surface: Principle One: Equitable use
145
4.2b Entry door floor surface: Principle two: Flexibility in use
146
4.2c Entry door floor surface: Principle Three: Simple, intuitive use
147
4.2d Entry door floor surface: Principle Five: Tolerance for error
148
4.2e Entry door floor surface: Principle six: Low physical effort
149
4.2f Entry door floor surface: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use
150
4.3a Door handle: Principle one: Equitable use
152
xiv
4.3b Door handle: Principle two: Flexibility in use
153
4.3c Door handle: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
154
4.3d Door handle: Principle four: perceptible Information
155
4.3e Door handle: Principle five: tolerance for error
156
4.3f Door handle: Principle six: Low physical effort
157
4.3g Door handle: Principle seven: Size and space and use
158
4.4a Door opening: Principle one: Equitable use
160
4.4b Door opening: Principle two: Flexibility in use
161
4.4c Door opening: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
162
4.4d Door opening: Principle five: Tolerance for error
163
4.4e Door opening: Principle six: Low physical effort
164
4.4f Door opening: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use
164
4.5a Staircase design: Principle one: Equitable use
166
4.5b Staircase design: Principle two: Flexibility in use
167
4.5c Staircase design: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
167
4.5d Staircase design: Principle five: tolerance for error
168
4.5e Staircase design: Principle six: Low physical effort
169
4.5f Staircase design: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use
170
4.6a Handrail design: Principle one: Equitable use
173
xv
4.6b Handrail design: Principle two: Flexibility in use
174
4.6c Handrail design: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
175
4.6d Handrail design: Principle five: tolerance for error
176
4.6e Handrail design: Principle six: low physical effort
177
4.6f Handrail design: Principle seven: Size and space and use
178
4.7a Location and position of electrical switches and outlet: Principle one: Equitable use
180
4.7b Location and position of electrical switches and outlet : Principle two: Flexibility in use
181
4.7c Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use
182
4.7d Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle four: Perceptible information
183
4.7e Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle five: tolerance for error
183
4.7f Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle six: Low physical effort
184
4.7g Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use
185
xvi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
1. UD Universal Design
2. UDPM Universal Design Performance Measure
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Research Background
Most buildings today especially public and commercial buildings are heading
towards accessible and barrier-free design to accommodate special group of
population such as the elderly and disable people in supporting their active life
(Ward, 2006). However, private houses are still lagging behind in this issue. In
line with this issue, the study tried to fill in the gap in order to support the elder
occupants to live independently in their current house, as they age. This research
intended to evaluate the current house environment that people choose to reside,
can accommodate them to live independently when they grow older.
For most people, a house is more than a building: it is a state of mind, an
expression of personality, and the place where it is possible to accommodate
them at any circumstances in life. In recent years it has become widely
recognized that residential design need to address a dynamic range of people
and abilities (Ward, 2006). This is because, the world today is approaching a
crossroad where the population of older people is increased and this including
Malaysia. In year 2005, Malaysia has been classified as an ageing nation
(Department of statistic, Malaysia 2000). The number of elderly citizen rise to 1.7
2
million (7.2 percent of the population) and by year 2020, Malaysia will be a
mature society with 9.5 percent of the population aged 60 and above
(Department of statistic, Malaysia 2000). This statistic means that 1.4 million
older people today will be more than double in their numbers in 16 years time.
This shift in demographic is caused by declining fertility and mortality rates and it
has a multifaceted impact on our society especially in residential design.
Although many studies have been conducted in attempting to design better
houses, interiors and products for people, most of the research results are more
toward a special population rather then overall solution that can accommodate all
type of people. The result categorized consumers into two standards group of
people. There is a group of so-called average people such as young, healthy, fit
and able body, and the other group is categorised as “special population”, that
includes the disable and older people. In addition, The result were more on
special designs, special requirements and special devices to be added to new or
after the house was ready which often stigmatising, embarrassing, different
looking, and usually more costly for the occupants to add on.
Generally, living environment or houses regardless the costs have been
designed for use by one “average” physical type of people only, such as young,
fit, and adult (Imrie, 2006). The fact is that only some of us fit into those
descriptions, and none of us can be described in that way for a lifetime. For
example people are growing older everyday through their life transition; people
3
become temporarily disable because of sickness, accident, broken limb, serious
illness, or pregnancy. As a result, none of us can be described as an average
people for a life time. Therefore, this research attempts to employ a new design
paradigm known as Universal Design (UD), yet to be well established in
developing country; to make recommendations and options to house developers,
government and other professional bodies to design a house with a usable and
accessible design features to all people rather than focusing on special group of
people only.
As stated by Covington and Hannah (1997) the goal of UD is to accommodate as
many people as possible as they pursue the activities in their daily life. UD
concept in this research is intended to support everyone to live independently in
their current house as they growing older by making more usable and accessible
design features in house environment. UD is also known as inclusive design for
everyone, therefore in this research low-cost houses have been chosen as a
model to set a baseline that UD is not an exclusive design approach. For that
reason, design features of standard building and products that consist in all types
of building inclusive low-cost houses will be evaluated.
The evaluation on the accessible and usable design features will be assessed on
the fundamental of how one use and access standard building components such
as:
4
1. Opening features; for instance how resident approach, reach and access
the entrance and interior doors.
2. Vertical circulation for transporting resident to use and access upper and
lower level of the space.
3. Accessing and using electrical appliances.
Hence, this study will try to make a practical and economic sense that all family
members in the house can use and access the same amenities with equal
comfort, rather than to make use of duplicate and separate circulation paths,
vertical access, and other facilities when their ability or age change. In this
regard, understanding of use and access of one environment should be
evaluated to determine whether the house that one choose to reside allow them
to perform their daily activity independently regardless of their age and ability
throughout their life transition. So, this research is heading in a pro-active
direction to support people to stay independently in their current house as they
age.
Aizan (1999) reported that majority of Malaysian prefer to remain in their current
house as they get older. This indicate older Malaysian prefer to age in place
rather than moving to a totally new environment or to a public institution. In that
respect, it showed that older Malaysians demand the same choice and control in
their everyday lives to continue to live in their familiar environment independently.
An accessible and usable design features in a house is one of the option to
5
enables an individual to do what he or she needs and desires as independently
as possible (Centre for UD 1997).
Even though there is no legal and specific requirement for private houses to be
made accessible and usable to all occupants, but with the demographic change
and preference to age in place expressed by majority of older Malaysian, it is
hard to ignore the design features provided in house environment. Therefore, a
new shift of thinking in residential design and giving an option to occupants to
use and access the design features in their environment at any stage of their
circumstances is significant. The bottom line is that all house environments must
be considered as capable of being utilised (use and access) by everyone, and
must provide for their differing needs simultaneously. As a result this research is
a relatively instinctive approach in built environment, resulting from concern for
our own future needs and the proportions of older people in Malaysia.
Statement of the Problem
The problem addressed in this research deals with the dynamic nature of
people’s lives and the houses in which they choose to reside. As household
members grow older, their habits, lifestyles, and use of space change (Dobkin &
Peterson, 2000), yet residents often tend to regard the physical environment in
which these changes occur that the house remain as unchangeable. As reported
by Dobkin and Peterson (2000), the ageing process is not the main issue that