Practicality

1. Lighting and Ventilation
   Where possible, rooms should be naturally lit.  New builds should have tall windows to allow natural light deep into the rooms.  Light pooling, particularly on floors, should be avoided.  Natural ventilation should be used whenever possible.  Ability to control light and air easily is important.

2. Public Areas
   These should be well organised and articulated to make the building appropriately accessible for residents and visitors.  The architecture of new builds should provide natural breaks and colour schemes which allow people to navigate easily around the building and provide indicators when entering private areas.If there is a main entrance to the building this should be appropriately signposted and the entrance itself should be welcoming.If there are car parking spaces, these should be appropriately signposted and there should be drop off points near to the main entrance.

3. Layout of the Building
   Landscaping should have been thought through carefully and should be appropriate to the building.  Gardens should be uplifting with accessible spaces for those with limited mobility or wheelchairs.  Seating areas, preferably shaded from sun and rain should be provided.  Planting should incorporate year round interest and appeal to all the senses including sight, hearing, smell and touch.Simple and clear layouts are preferred.  The buildings, materials, fixtures and fittings should be comfortable and create a homely feel for domestic use rather than an institutional feel.  The provision of two bedrooms is recommended – where this is impractical a guest suite would offer a good alternative.Interior decor where possible should include contrasting colours to aid those with visual difficulties to see handrails and differentiate between floors, front doors etc.  Doors may be colour coded for example to discern bathrooms, toilets etc.  Flooring should be non slip and non reflective and should not include small flecks – which can be mistaken for items that may encourage people to bend to pick these up.Signage should be age appropriate and include both written and pictorial images and placed at a suitable height where people can read them.  Corridors should be warm and intimate, not cold and institutional.

4. Fixtures and Fittings
   Wall sockets should be situated approximately half a metre above floor level – striking a balance between having to stoop to reach and the institutional feel of plugs situated higher.Window openers should be easily accessible without having to stretch.  Similarly, cupboards should be easily reached without having to use steps.  Lever taps are also recommended.  Height adjustable worktops and cookers are important innovations for disabled residents.Storage space is very important.  There should be sufficient cupboards/drawers for clothes and household items such as vacuum cleaner, ironing board etc.Level access showers or “wet rooms” are recommended.  Contrasting colours for sanitary ware and toilet seats and rails should be used as this can assist in avoiding slips and falls.

5. Safety and Security
   Security and safety of residents is of prime importance.  Trustees should be able to demonstrate what measures are in place to include access for visitors, suitable lighting, pathways and planting.