A fresh look at interiors: experienced designers review the latest interior design trends

Nursing Homes, Oct, 2004

Manufacturers are now producing carpet that stands up to the wear and abuse of nursing homes. Nursing staff are now beginning to accept that today's floorcoverings offer many positive attributes that contribute to residential ambience, noise control, glare control, and ease of mobility. Many carpets now have a moisture-barrier backing, which is crucial to success in facilities, as is proper floor preparation, installation, and maintenance. Choice of patterns must be carefully controlled because of the prevalence of vision problems in long-term care residents.

It would be nice to see more wallpaper used in facilities, but unfortunately it is typically cut from the design budget. Carefully selected wallcovering used in only one or two places can help a setting feel more like home.

As for finishes, we are seeing increased use of Crypton, which is now offering better textures, colors, and patterns.

Lighting is one area in which we are starting to see significant improvement. With the publication of Lighting and the Visual Environment for Senior Living by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and its subsequent adoption in 2001 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a national building standard, architects and building engineers are beginning to use these lighting practice standards to address visual requirements of seniors that were largely ignored before. We are seeing much higher light levels, with more use of indirect lighting sources and natural light. This emphasis on daylighting is being driven to some extent by energy conservation concerns, but it is important that attention be paid to controlling glare. Unfiltered light, even from nature, is not a plus.

For further information, phone (415) 332-8382 or e-mail ecb917@worldnet.att.net.

Sue Torgrude, Environmental Researcher/Planner, Boelter Design Group, Inc.: The use of interior design elements to enhance wayfinding in nursing homes and assisted living facilities is getting increased attention, but further development is needed. Gerald Weisman, PhD, professor of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, has identified four key elements that can have an impact on successful way finding:

1. Architectural Differentiation

* Unique building features that can be used for orientation

* Identifiable groupings of spaces within the facility for residents and visitors to recognize

2. Floor-Plan Configuration

* Physical organization of the spaces

* Definition of paths residents and visitors will follow through the building

* Attention to spatial orientation for the building residents and visitors

3. Sensory Access

* Views to outdoors or other parts of the building

* Aromas and sounds that identify spaces

4. Signs and Graphics

Other design elements that can support wayfinding include landmarks, color contrast, and lighting to distinguish areas.

Unique building features--e.g., atriums, aquatic/exercise center, coffee shops, and other gathering places--can provide reference points for wayfinding. Circulation paths should be easily understood. A current trend is to create neighborhoods or household clusters to achieve smaller, homelike living environments for residents. However, depending on the design, the result may be increased floor-plan complexity, which can have an adverse impact on wayfinding.