Touchless faucets, which promote sustainability, flip-down charging stations, layered and filtered lighting, varying counter heights, lever pulls instead of knobs, and bringing nature indoors were among her suggestions for human-centric designs. “Interview your client and go deeper. Who is coming to the home? What are their long and short-term plans? Look for opportunities to create “hackable space” – places where furniture can be moved around for different uses as the family dynamic changes,” Kelly advised.
The form of the livable home was the focus of “Where We Choose to Thrive: A Discussion of Aging-in-Place Communities,” a session led by award-winning senior living expert BJ Miller, FASID, CCM, principal of The Vision Group of Asheville, NC. According to Miller, “The versatility of the livable features in new homes adds significant value now and in the future. My design specifications always include appropriate lighting throughout, motion detectors for vital sign monitoring, second bedroom options for a caregiver, master bedrooms large enough for two single beds, removable kitchen and bathroom cabinets for wheelchair access, shower stalls with space for a portable chair, level thresholds into the shower and large windows with low sills.”