When Design Offers Efficacy

September 6, 2022

Arti B Rau

Kitchens designed with a focus on the elderly are expected to increase in the coming years, discovers Arti B Rau

With India being home to one out of every ten senior citizens of the world today, kitchens are reflecting a changing pattern where their design specifically incorporates elements to assist the elderly. The ageing process is often marked by changes in health like slower reactions, problems of balance, decreased energy and visual, and auditory abilities as well as decreased mobility, and a greater proportion of houses and apartments are expected to be built keeping in mind these factors.

Work Triangle

The size of the kitchen and kitchen triangle – “work triangle or kitchen triangle” which involves the distance between the sink area, preparatory area and cooking area – are two main criteria to be taken into account while designing the space. As it is common for the elderly to experience age-related decline in locomotion, their daily movement in the kitchen should be kept at a minimum, and the recommended kitchen triangle distance should be set to suit their physical ability.

"Ambient lighting should be achieved by distributing light evenly so as not to cast shadows and spots. The luminaries should have diffusers to disperse the light evenly. I would recommend indirect lighting but would not suggest cove lighting since it is difficult to keep clean."

Rohini Mani

Architect

About Lighting

Older eyes require altered lighting, and they become more sensitive to glare, so a greater quantum of light is often needed. The exact quantity of light, placement of the light source with colour and temperature are vital parameters to be taken into account.

The uses of up lighting - small lighting units that are placed around the perimeter of the venue and illuminate the walls from floor to ceiling - contribute effectively to the lighting required for the elderly.

“Diffused or indirect lights and perhaps an up lighter in a recessed cove around the top perimeter of a kitchen could be an option. For maximising light output, the use of T5 fluorescent or LED light as the source would wash the ceiling with light. This would help create a brighter ceiling where light bounces and reflects through the space without glare. Further, a LED strip under the kitchen platform that is, just above the cabinets would cut the glare and also allow comfortable access to the cabinets,” says Bankim Dave, Architect & Interior Designer and CWLID Secretary General.

Architect Rohini Mani offers other workable options from a different angle. “Ambient lighting should be achieved by distributing light evenly so as not to cast shadows and spots. The luminaries should have diffusers to disperse the light evenly. I would recommend indirect lighting but would not suggest cove lighting since it is difficult to keep clean. The lux level should be a minimum of 300 lux,” she says. “The ceiling light should not cast a shadow of the person on the counter when he is standing there, “she adds.

And More

Down lighting or the type that directs light down and only focuses on the area to be lit is another parameter that needs to be taken into account. Also known as general lighting, the position and number of fixtures are important aspects for illuminating the area and reducing dark corners.

Another point to be considered is task lighting, which serves the purpose of focussing the light where it is most needed. In a kitchen, this would be under the cabinets, lighting up the surface and whatever is placed on it.

With the concept of the traditional household being fast replaced with that of the nuclear family, an increased number of elderly persons are living by themselves. Photo Courtesy: ID Interiors

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The New Entrant

A relatively new method of lighting space for those with diminishing eyesight is visual cuing. Visual cuing provides an additional reference point for judging distance or depth when entering a space or approaching objects.

Dave elaborates on the concept. “A relatively new concept, visual cueing plays the role of an “usher”. Visual cues have been developed to provide aid with visual stimulations and reminders. For instance, visual schedules have been developed to facilitate communication and transition. Such visual schedules typically include a series of visual aids that represent a subject of communication such as daily activities, seasonal changes, and the like,” he explains.

Other Aspects

The process of ageing also makes the eyes more susceptible to glare, making this an important factor to be kept in mind while designing a kitchen for the elderly. “The first requirement for any application is glare-free lighting. This is absolutely essential as you age when you need more light as your eye power diminishes. There should be dimmers for lights and a sensor to switch on about 25 per cent ambient light as they enter the kitchen the lighting level can go up to 500 lux if the person suffers from poor vision,” says Mani

"Diffused or indirect lights and perhaps an up lighter in a recessed cove around the top perimeter of a kitchen could be an option. For maximising light output, the use of T5 fluorescent or LED light as the source would wash the ceiling with light. This would help create a brighter ceiling where light bounces and reflects through the space without glare."

Bankim Dave

Architect & Interior Designer and CWLID Secretary General