EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - TeTT Accessible Dwelling - Functionality, Aesthetics, Safety, Economy

TeTT Accessible Dwelling - Functionality, Aesthetics, Safety, Economy

Introduction

The purpose of the project was to develop testing methods for new and renovated buildings in order to optimize the integration of the users' demands and the limitations and potentials of the building into the plans and into the targets set for product development. These methods were developed for actual buildings being built or renovated.

Proposition

The question was how to optimize the integration of the needs and subconscious demands of a user and the bounds and opportunities found in a building or a space.

The aim was to develop full-scale research methods and build a full-scale research facility to be used in rebuilding, improvement and development projects.

Description

The research group defined a functional full-scale spatial test and trial environment that can be used when planning different living spaces for persons with mobility and functional disabilities. The aim was to be able to develop different study designs both 1) in the test laboratory and 2) in situ in the buildings to be built or renovated.

These methods make it possible to compile materials for calculations concerning best value for money and to examine how user requirements can be better taken into consideration when building new buildings and when renovating old buildings, and how renovation can have a positive impact on the dweller's independent living or on the home-help service personnel's work tasks and working hours.

International co-operation
During the project international co-operation and negotiations have been carried on with several foreign institutes and laboratories:

Lund Institute of Technology's Full-Scale Laboratory, Sweden
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) PlaceLab, USA
British Columbia Institute of Technology's Dr. Tong Louie Living Lab, Canada

The Research consists of five subprojects:

Case 1: Alterations of residential buildings. A model for collecting data for the building alteration process. (Rapport)
Case 2: Sheltered home in Syystie. A project for developing methods and studying alternative renovation options to improve the kitchenette, the sanitary facilities and the lighting and to add balconies. The impact of the solutions on the spatial and operational costs is assessed. (Rapport and Master's thesis)
Case 3: Puolarkoti, Espoo. The development of Puolarkoti, i.e. two wards for long-term patients in Puolarmetsä Hospital in Espoo. (Rapport)
Case 4: Building preservation and accessibility. A model for evaluating the effects of retrofitting lifts on the architecture of the building and on the degree of accessibility are presented in this subproject. ( Master's thesis and Rapport)
Case 5: Senior home concept. A model for guiding the senior home concept, based on the current planning guidance used in the building construction company, YIT, on the completed sites and on the feedback received from users. (Rapport)

The research is conducted by TKK, Research Institute for Health Care Facilities. In collaboration with TKK's Construction Economics and Management Unit and the Lighting Laboratory and - as an expert in ergonomics - Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health.

Project leader: Tuomo Siitonen

Research group:

Päivi Aro, Jesse Anttila, Aki Hiltunen, Sasu Hälikkä, Pirjo Sipiläinen, Tuula Tuononen, Ira Verma, Satu Åkerblom (TKK, Research Institute for Health Care Facilities)
Arto Saari, Leena Aalto (TKK, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Construction Economics and Management)
Liisa Horelli, Jorma Lehtovaara (TKK, Department of Electrical and Communications Engineering, Lighting Laboratory)
Nina Nevala (Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health)

Background information

The project is part of the Innovative City® Program.

Methodology

The aim was to develop full-scale research methods and laboratory and to gain knowledge about other full-scale laboratories visiting research institutes in Lund (Sweden), Boston (USA) and Vancouver (Canada) and studying related literature.

In each of the subprojects the content as well as the research methodology was developed. Approved research methodologies were applied and new developed according to the contents of the study cases.

Case 1. Alterations of residential buildings - Model for collecting data. Source materials included literature, inquiries and interviews conducted with public authorities and materials on alterations of residential buildings in Tikkurila, Vantaa and in north eastern parts of Helsinki in 2003.
Case 2. Sheltered home in Syystie - Trial environment. Apartments with a kitchenette solution, different lighting solutions and bathroom solutions were carried out. The solutions were tested by the inhabitants and the personnel of the sheltered home.
Case 3. Puolarkoti - Virtual model and trial environment. The information was compiled by interviewing patients, their family members and members of staff and by documenting the facilities. Puolarkoti was supplemented by two pilot rooms whose functionality was evaluated and tested with the inhabitants, the personnel and the visitors.
Case 4. Building preservation and accessibility - Analysis. Retrofitting solutions in post war stair halls were analysed and two design suggestions were presented in the subproject.
Case 5. Senior home concept - Analysis and design concept development. The senior home concept was based on the current planning guidance used in the building construction company, YIT, on the completed sites and on the feedback received from users.

Conclusions

Upon the completion of the project, the testing methods will serve for both the construction of new buildings and the renovation of old ones. Furthermore, the results achieved in developing subprojects can be applied to other sites too.

Contact info

HUT, Sotera-institute / Research Institute for Health Care Facilities
Finland
Ms. Satu Åkerblom, tel. + 358 9 451 4453

Publication date

01/10/2003

Project finished

31/12/2006

Researcher

Project leader Tuomo Siitonen

Cities

National interest with possibility of international usage.

Links

SOTERA institute: projects Ergonomics and Usability of a Traditional and an Adjustable Kitchenette for Elderly Users (PDF, Eng, 310 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing management

Keywords

Housing maintenance