Designing spaces for the differently-abled

It can’t just look good. It also needs to be carefully designed so that it can enhance quality of life. This requirement is particularly crucial in designing for the differently-abled. More than just concentrating on melding pleasing colors and forms to create visually agreeable spaces, designing for people with disabilities necessitates an innovative mindset, empathy and an acute understanding of the obstacles that sensory-impaired or physically challenged individuals face as they go about their daily lives.

 “We told our students to put themselves in their subject’s shoes,” says Philippine School for Interior Design(PSID) professor Nicky Jardenil. This, apart from enhancement sessions, field trips and interviews with their target clients, allowed 104 members of PSID’s Advanced Class of 2012 to create highly specialized spaces for the physically and sensory-challenged. And fittingly, the thesis of this year’s exhibit is “Dibuhong Umaakay – An Interior Design Exhibit on Assisted Living.” 

 “PSID believes that we should reach all sectors of society.” Batch adviser Jie Paambid explains the rationale behind the theme. “We want to be a school that shows socially-relevant content imbedded in design.” That the school strives to be pertinent to an even wider public, he says, is significant as it celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. “Aside from creating aesthetically pleasing spaces, comfort and safety are our primary concerns. The challenge, then, is to merge the concepts into an aesthetically and functionally cohesive whole.”

The exhibit space is divided into Dinig or living spaces for the hearing-impaired, Tindig for the orthopedically-challenged, Tanaw for the visually-impaired and Galaw for the elderly. Special needs of each specific group were considered and corresponding design solutions were applied. The exhibit brochure explains, “The focus of the exhibit is to show how interior design can be a palliative, therapeutic and restorative solution to create a lifestyle of ease, comfort, style and beauty.” Certainly, we were convinced that this is possible with what we saw.

‘Dinig’: Living spaces for the hearing impaired

Seeing is hearing for the hearing-impaired. Recognizing that poor hearing can cause a feeling of isolation and helplessness, there was an effort by PSID students to create well-lit spaces, while at the same time reducing glare. That auditory-impaired individuals are able to compensate by seeing better is important, after all. This allows them to read lip movements and see what is going on around them clearly.

Design elements included reflective surfaces such as mirrors as well as flashing light fixtures to replace, for example, the sound of a doorbell. A circular or curved arrangement of furniture is preferred so that sight is unimpeded for group conversations using sign language.

A bright, sunny gazebo-like kitchen for the elderly with large windows and a skylight for them to be able to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of their kitchen. The space is designed by Princess Barretto, Eliza Bayona, Patricia Casaje, Paula Sun and Trisc Turcuato

Of course, technology is a key element in the design. This is especially vital in a kitchen put together by Arnold Dalmacio, Cheryl Ross Ang, Justa Lardizabal and Randy Pabona where gadgets are rigged so that a light goes on to signal that an automatic cooker has done its job or the coffee is ready. Arnold admits that installing the signal lights plus hi-tech appliances and gadgets will necessitate additional costs, but he is convinced this should be an impediment. The astute designer can cut expenditure on other decorating costs and still come up with impeccable design. To prove this, he points out that many of the items in the group’s luxurious looking kitchen were obtained at modest prices from places like Dapitan.

‘Tindig’: Spaces for the orthopedically challenged

No clutter and lots of space so that one can easily move around. When crutches or a wheelchair is required, too much furniture can be both hassle and hazard. Thus, the minimalist take of Aline Delfino-Bautista and Jason dela Pena on a living room makes good sense. They call their living room design “Limitless.” With its clean lines, strong geometric shapes and streamlined furniture positioned right next to the wall, the center of the room is kept bare to make it easier for a wheelchair-bound person to get around. The space is also specially designed to incorporate elements such as a two-level peephole (one at standard level, and the other placed lower for the convenience of the orthopedically-challenged resident), full foyer mirror, switch height positions and wheelchair rotation spaces.

 “This is a space that promotes independence and individuality,” say Bautista and Dela Pena. “Creating a stylish, modern, and wheelchair accessible interior is not impossible. We feel fulfilled that we are able to create this space. It is a great opportunity to focus on abilities and what can be instead of the disabilities and what cannot be.”

‘Tanaw’: For the visually-impaired

There are many degrees of blindness. But whether one suffers from partial loss of vision or complete loss of sight, creating a comfortable environment is a key concern. The incorporation of tactile surfaces, color contrast and reduction of glare are important. So, too, are good acoustics. While the hearing-impaired “see to hear,” it is the opposite for the visually-impaired. They “listen to see.”

However, the general opinion is that designing a bathroom for the visually- impaired person poses the greatest challenge. This should be a private space, after all — where accepting assistance is a final confirmation of infirmity and surrender of agency. And thus, the bathroom can represent a space to reclaim power, independence and self-sufficiency.

IndrustrialEYEzed, the toilet and bath designed by group members, Kookie Biluan, Olive Benson, Kristine Dizon, Camille Ferrer, Jerome Odsinada and Margaret Yung tackles the challenge very well with a design that has accessibility, ease of orientation and safety in mind.

The bathroom is equipped with an audio guide to orient and guide visually-impaired users. It has a circular layout for simple and easy navigation, texture-coded flooring to guide towards the important areas such as the toilet, shower and wash, and Braille labels on shelving, shower controls and toiletries. Pathways are clear of obstructions. This toilet and bath that follows an industrial design style uses traditional Maranao colors and elements to soften the raw concrete, stainless steel, silver mosaic tiles, steel cables and glass. What is most agreeable, however, is that the space is also aesthetically pleasing even for the visually unimpaired.

‘Galaw’: Living spaces for the elderly

We will all eventually age. It is a sobering thought. And when that happens, our eyesight will get dimmer, our hearing will be weaker, and our bodies will be frailer than they are at our prime. Still, that does not mean that we should sacrifice our sense of style.

In designing for the elderly, it is a good idea to keep in mind that an institutional look is definitely off-putting. Our mature family members have lived full, rich and interesting lives and there is no reason why they cannot continue to do so. New, innovatively designed living spaces are good. But by incorporating mementoes and familiar objects in the interior design, they can relive happy times surrounded by things that they love.

However, it is good to keep in mind, that sloping floors and slippery surfaces are a bane when one is elderly. So, too, are dark or dimly lit areas where it is easy for them to bump into furniture or lose their footing. Worth considering when designing for the elderly are grab-bars, maneuvering space for wheelchairs, non-skid material for the floors, and easy-to-maintain spaces particularly when they live alone.

Seeing that the elderly are more susceptible to infections, the floor and surfaces of a bathroom for the elderly designed by Stanley Balmores, Paolo Casas and Jhoana Duran are specially coated with an antibacterial solution, This, definitely, is a great idea even if you haven’t reached the golden years.  

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 “Dibuhong Umaakay”­ ­— An Interior Design Exhibit on Assisted Living by the graduating batch of 2012 of The Philippine School of Interior Design runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31 at SM North Edsa, Quezon City (at the former Super Sale Club). Exhibit hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.