The aim of the project was to collect all the current knowledge about barrier-free home in one data-base available for everybody. The idea was to define the different user profiles and their perspective demands for the conception of built environment.

In the written document is described housing modification models developed during the basic renovations of residential buildings. In the pilot sites special attention was put in the user requirements for older people and accessibility.

Document: A. Saari, S. Åkerblom & P. Sipiläinen. 2002. Vanhusten asumisen mahdollistava peruskorjaus. ARVI - Asunnon arviointimenetelmä -tutkimuksen osaraportti 1. Espoo: Teknillinen korkeakoulu. 73 s. Arkkitehtiosaston julkaisuja 82. ISBN 951-22-5836-6

The database includes all the Finnish building laws and regulations for disabled people. It contains also the recommendations for good practise of barrier-free design. It is based on the knowledge gained in the pilot cases.

The public utility database is found in the following address:  www.ara.fi

Project leader: Tuomo Siitonen;
Preceding project (2000-2002), research group: Timo Karhu, Heli Koivu, Pirjo Sipiläinen, Satu Åkerblom;
Follow-up project (2005), research group: Pirjo Sipiläinen, Tuula Tuononen, Ira Verma, Satu Åkerblom.

The project is part of the Innovative City® Program .

As regards new buildings, the progress of the building process in the pilot site was followed in the sketching, building approval drawing and implementation phases, and the realization of the user requirements was assessed according to the schedule of the site.

When assessing existing buildings, the realization of the user requirements was tested in residential buildings from different periods and the levels of the user requirements for the physical environment were defined. Representatives of different user groups were involved in the testing. Testing focused on the route from outside to the apartment door.

As regards pilot sites of basic renovation, the user requirements were defined, the limitations and potentials of the buildings were analysed and alternatives were considered on the basis of different user requirements.

The housing modification is an economical solution for older people housing. The buildings potentials should be carefully assessed and alternatives analysed before the basic renovation. During the house renovations effort should be put on the requirements of the inhabitants. This work resulted in a fully functional on-line database that helps in the assessment and design of a barrier-free home.

Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), Research Institute for Health Care Facilities (Sotera)
Finland
Ira Verma, tel. +358 9 451 4451

31/12/2002

31/08/2005

Project leader is Mr. Tuomo Siitonen

research

Urban Policy > Housing > Housing quality

Housing design & standards