Design Inclusivity
With each person being so unique and requiring different things to thrive and be happy, shouldn’t our interiors also mimic those qualities to be truly inclusive?
We attended the GSL conference in December and one of the most illuminating talks was by Ian Hosking from the University of Cambridge. He discussed inclusive design in such a different and inspiring way and it really got us thinking about how we approach design and possible ways we could be more considerate and inclusive. A lesson we took away was that if you’re not designing for everyone, then your design isn’t accommodating everyone the best way it can (and isn’t 100% inclusive).
Our differences are what makes us all unique, so they should be something to be embraced and celebrated. They should bring us together, not divide us, so the spaces we design need to be sympathetic and inclusivity should be cleverly incorporated into the fabric of the design to make spaces user friendly.
So, what things need to be taken into consideration when designing inclusive interiors?
Wellness Culture
By weaving wellness into a design, it allows everyone to feel comfortable, calm and considered. A culture of care promotes a sense of belonging and encourages community collaboration. To overlook wellness is to overlook your residents.
Think of a space that you associate wellness with, maybe it’s a forest, a quiet café, library, or a gym. Wellness spaces and culture are holistic and should consider mind, body, and soul. These spaces should be dedicated to helping the user develop and attain attributes that help them live a better day to day life.
To obtain a true state of wellness, social connectedness, exercise, sleep and mindfulness need to be considered, but how do these things directly link to design and how can we as designers make sure we are crafting spaces that are sympathetic and mindful?
In terms of wellness in design, gyms/fitness spaces are a great addition but seem somewhat obvious. Linking wellness to inclusivity is taking it a step further. For example, incorporating a provision in the design for a prayer/worship/contemplation space that takes cultural/societal differences into account – these spaces make people feel included and welcome.
The addition of green spaces, if possible, is also a must as nature is simply unmatched when it comes to wellbeing. Colour palette, natural daylight optimisation, and biophilia can also have a direct effect on wellness, so need careful thought and implementation. It’s all about layering these ideas to create the most inclusive and considerate spaces.
Mindful design to us is stripping back design, going back to basics and building from there. Thinking is this good for the user physically and mentally. Then think how we can improve the experience and space for the resident and provide interiors that are centred around wellness.
Health (physical and mental)
Have you ever broken a limb or been unable to navigate your daily life because your mind is overloaded? Well, imagine if that was your life everyday, how would you feel if the spaces that you see so many people move around with such ease weren’t built for you? Would you feel frustrated, misunderstood, overwhelmed, and overlooked? In the UK a staggering 16 million people identify as having a disability and reported lower rates out of ten for happiness and higher for anxiety on the UK Parliament website UK disability statistics: Prevalence and life experiences - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk). Also 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem every year in the UK How common are mental health problems? - Mind. We are thankful to have these stats as designers, so we can implement change and design interiors that allow the mind and body to rest and feel comfortable. Mental and physical health are closely linked, so they need to be considered and those considerations then need incorporating into a design to make the most holistic and mindful spaces. A great way to start taking these things into account is thinking about the floor plan and layout, and always making sure people can move through the space freely and easily.
Social Integration/Cultural Inclusion
Inclusion and integration are different things, but at the core, in terms of design, it’s about creating environments that respect and value individuals no matter their differences and making sure everyone feels comfortable and listened to. As we predominately design in the PBSA sector, one of the key demographics we design for are international students, so we make sure we are researching, constantly engaging with said students and our clients to make sure the designs we provide are surpassing their expectations, because it’s all about making them feel happy and welcomed in one of the most transitional times in their lives. Colour is such a powerful tool to use in terms of cultural inclusivity, as different cultures associate colour with different things. For example, Saffron (golden yellow) in Indian culture is a sacred and respected colour, so may not be suitable in some areas as it may be seen as a sign of disrespect. This colour would ignite joy and happiness and its application in the right setting would create a space that culturally connects with the residents. Picking colours and thinking of where to apply them needs careful consideration and simply can’t be an afterthought. In terms of social integration putting in person /virtual events and encouraging the students to engage in the communal areas allows for easier social integration, that’s why those communal spaces need to be inviting and feel safe to entice the residents to connect and start to build that community spirit.
Ergonomics
A recent podcast referenced ergonomics and how the way furniture is thought out and constructed is quite frankly archaic. The anthropometric data commonly used is from the military and we certainly don’t all match up to those metrics. ‘One size fits all’ and ‘ergonomics’ would never really be in the same sentence (except for here maybe). So, we need to revisit and get more varied data to make sure fit, form and function are working in tandem. Obviously, that is easier said than done, but it’s so important we start to change how furniture is made. Adjustable pieces are a great addition and accommodate all body sizes and abilities. Tech integration seems to be taking off too, which allows for a more streamline and ergonomically efficient experience. Ergonomics seems to be going back to basics in analysing what we need as humans to be comfortable. There’s something about a stripped back approach that appeals to us, so we are really looking forward to seeing how the landscape of product design changes in the near future.
Personalisation
If spaces aren’t considered, adaptable and flexible, how can they truly be inclusive? Spaces need to be able to be personalised, so the residents can make them their own. These things are closely linked to ergonomics, but it’s also about the user’s experience in their residence. Are they being cared for, listened to and are the operations team making sure they feel like individuals? One size does not fit all, and each resident deserves a tailored experience - if not they may up sticks and move on.
In terms of interior design and personalisation, spaces need to be multifunctional and take into account the demographic of the residents. Allowing for personalisation of a space and personalising a space are two different things. To allow for personalisation, furniture needs to be adaptable, flexible and easy to move around with little effort. Spaces also need to be creatively and cleverly designed too. Having open shelving and wipe/chalk boards allow the residents to add their own bits and unique thoughts to a space. Also encouraging the residents to connect in the communal areas creates a bond between them and the space - so they feel at home.
To make a space feel personal, talk to residents who live there and find out what they do and don’t like. Understand their personal/behavioural habits and different lifestyles. Then incorporate these thoughts into a design. Too many cooks spoil the broth, one would normally say – well not in this case. Get as many people to contribute to your initial research to get the best out of a design. The more feedback you get means that the research is varied, and that can only be good.
It’s an exciting time we are living in, a time of change, so now seems apt for design to take a cue from world issues and change and develop too. Inclusive design that considers all users’ needs is important and necessary to make sure everyone is having the best experience possible. Now is a time for learning and listening, there is potential to get so many things right and develop some really innovative and transformative designs.
N&LX