UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES

FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED

NORANITA MANSOR

FRSB 2008 10

USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED

By

NORANITA MANSOR

Thesis Submitted To The School Of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, In Fulfilment Of The Requirement For The Degree Of Master of Science

AUGUST 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page ABSTRACT ii ABSTRAK iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi APPROVAL viii DECLARATION x LIST OF TABLE xi LIST OF FIGURES xiv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ NOTATIONS/ GLOSSARY OF TERM xvii CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION Research Background 1 Statement of the Problem 5 Objectives of the Study 8 Research questions 8 Significance of research 9 Focus of study 10 Definitions of terms 12 Anticipated Finding 16 Structure of the Thesis 17 Summary of chapter 18

2 LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction 19 Housing issues and older people 22 Older people and built environment 26 28 Overview Universal Design 32 Universal Design in Housing 33 Universal design versus other concepts in built

environment

Universal Design Theory 39 UD as Social Inclusion 40 UD as Social Reality as Probabilistic 40 UD as Social Reality not as Value Free 41 From UD Theory to Practice 42 Designing for Future 46 Architectural barrier related to older people 48 Architectural barrier that incline people to live

independently 51

Design features 55 Universal Design Assessment and Evaluation 58 Theoretical framework 63 Summary of chapter 65

3 METHODOLOGY Introduction 68 Research goal 68 Case Study as a research strategy 70 Research design 72 Research Question 72 Research proposition 73 Unit of Analysis 74 Linking data to propositions 74 The criteria for interpreting the finding 76 Data Collection 78 Sampling Method 81 Unit of analysis 83 Data analysis 87 Reliability and validity of research 88 Summary of the Chapter 89

4 FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS Introduction 90 Finding and data analysis of respondents and their

house profiles (Stage I) 91

Site Survey Checklist and Walk-Through (Stage II) 96 Universal Design Performance Measures (Stage III) 131 Summary of the chapter 184

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Introduction 187 Summary of research findings 189 UD Principles in house environment to enable people

to live independently 194

Recommendations 199 Summary of the chapter 217

6 CONCLUSION Summary of research question 219 Direction of future research 223

REFERENCES/ BIBLIOGRAPHY 226 APPENDICES 234 BIODATA OF THE STUDENT 255

ii

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment

Of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science USABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DESIGN FEATURES IN MALAYSIAN HOUSES

FOR THE INDEPENDENT AGED

By

NORANITA MANSOR

AUGUST 2008

Chairman: Associate Professor Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Faculty: Design and Architecture

Most houses built today will most likely be occupied in the next fifty years. The

houses that people choose to reside in are unchanged and often tend to

disregard the changes in people’s life especially toward age and ability. For that

reason, this research attempts to evaluate the existing design features in house

environment to accommodate life transitions as the population grows by using

Universal Design (UD). UD is an integrated, inclusive and creative form of design

that evaluates whether design features in house environment are usable and

accessible for a diverse population by a set of seven principles. The UD

principles are adopted as the theoretical framework in this research. The case

study method was used in this research consisting of six purposive non-random

samples selected from residents residing at a local housing development in

Malaysia as the unit of analysis. The residents of these units average fifty-five

and above in age and have resided their homes since 1980-1985. Three stages

of data collection were used to link the findings to the proposition. They are i) In-

iii

depth interview, ii) Site Survey Checklist with Walk-Through Observation and iii)

Universal Design Performance Measure. Findings from the research shows that

the existing design features tend to generate problems to the residents as their

physical abilities change with age. Hence, this research concludes that there is

need for a new design approach basing on UD for creating usable and

accessible design features to support people living independently in their chosen

environment as they age. The results are expected to become the basis for

housing professionals, architects, interior designers, policy-makers in future

environmental design for the aging population. Future studies are recommended

to develop a UD performance measure for Malaysia that could address the need

to support the growing aged population in the country.

iv

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains

CIRI REKA BENTUK YANG MUDAH DIGUNAPAKAI DAN SENANG DICAPAI DI DALAM RUMAH DI MALAYSIA UNTUK HIDUP BERDIKARI DI USIA TUA

Oleh

NORANITA MANSOR

Disember 2007

Pengerusi: Profesor Madya Dr. Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Fakulti: Rekabentuk dan Senibina

Kebanyakan rumah yang dibina hari ini, akan terus didiami lebih dari pada lima

puluh tahun akan datang. Rumah yang dipilih untuk didiami boleh dikatakan satu

reka bentuk yang kekal dan tidak berubah seperti mana penghuninya terutama

ianya tidak mengikut peredaran umur dan keupayaan manusia. Atas sebab

tersebut, kajian ini akan mengkaji semula ciri reka bentuk sedia ada yang

terdapat di dalam rumah untuk didiami oleh penghuninya disepanjang hidup

mereka sejurus peningkatan populasi umur manusia dengan menggunakan

“Universal Design” (UD). UD adalah gabungan menyeluruh antara kreativiti dan

rekabentuk dalam menghasilkan reka bentuk yang mudah digunapakai dan

senang dicapai oleh berbagai populasi manusia melalui tujuh rangkaian prinsip

UD dan ianya digunakan sebagai landasan teori utama di dalam kajian ini. Kajian

v

kes merupakan teknik utama digunapakai, melibatkan enam “purposive non-

random” responden yang terdiri dari penduduk yang menduduki Taman

perumahan tempatan sebagai analisa unit. Responden adalah yang berusia di

dalam lingkungan umur lima puluh lima tahun keatas dan telah mendiami rumah

mereka sejak dari tahun 1980-1985. Tiga peringkat pengumpulan data dibuat

untuk mengaitkan penemuan dengan usul kajian iaitu; i) temu bual secara

mendalam, ii) “Site Survey Checklist with Walk-Through Observation” dan iii)

“Universal Design Performance Measure”. Hasil dari pengumpulan maklumat,

kajian ini mendapati responden mengalami beberapa masalah semasa

menggunakan reka bentuk sedia ada di dalam rumah disebabkan perubahan

keupayaan dan peningkatan usia . Sebagai kesimpulan keseluruhan, UD adalah

satu cara yang praktikal yang patut digunakan untuk membantu penghuni terus

tinggal secara berdikari di dalam rumah sedia ada.. Hasil kajian ini diharap bakal

menjadi rujukan kepada badan profesional yang terlibat dalam bidang

perumahan seperti arkitek, para pereka , pemaju dan penggubal polisi pada

masa hadapan dalam mereka bentuk persekitaran yang mudah digunapakai dan

senang dicapai. Kajian lanjutan adalah mengembangkan “UD performance

measure” untuk persekitaran rumah di Malaysia yang akan menitikberat kepada

sokongan pertambahan bilangan penduduk yang meningkat usia tua di negara

ini.

vi

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My greatest and foremost gratitude and thank you to Allah S.W.T for bless me to

reach this stage. I would like to thank Dr. Azizah Salim, my supervisor, for her

support and encouragement for me throughout the process.

I thank Dr. Ahamd Hariza for his continuous encouragement and advices for me

from the moment I start to write the proposal toward the end.

I would like to thank En Nasir for his professional advice. He provided me useful

information and comments about my research topic at various stages of my

research.

I would like to extend my gratitude and love to dearest husband Mr Norman Faiz

Pang for his consistent support and encouragement, without him I could not

finish this work. To my love little one Sharmine Pang, I love you so much and

sorry for the hard time that I give to you throughout the year.

Most importantly, I would like to thank my family. Their devoted love and

supports made this work possible. To my parents Tuan Haji Mansor Abdullah

and Puan Hajjah Maimunah, my sister Mardziah and to all my bothers I am

grateful for their love and support that they always showed me. Without their

love, I could not finish this work.

vii

I certify that an Examination Committee has met on date of viva to conduct the final examination of Noranita Mansor on her Master of Science thesis entitled The “Usable And Accessible Design Features In Malaysia Houses To Enable People To Live Independently As They Age” in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows: Dr Hjh Rahinah Ibrahim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Dr Sharifah Norazizan Syed Abd. Rashid, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Human Ecology Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Dr Kamariah Dola, PhD Senior Lecturer Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) Dr Julaihi Abd. Wahid, PhD Associate Professor School of housing, building and planning Universiti Sains Malaysia (External Examiner)

________________________________ Bujang Kim Huat, PhD Professor and Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date:

viii

This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows: Azizah Salim Syed Salim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Ahmad Hariza B. Hashim, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Human Ecology Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Nasir Baharuddin Senior Lecturer Faculty of Design and Architecture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

_____________________________ HASANAH MOHD GHAZALI, PhD Professor and Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 10 December 2009

ix

DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.

____________________ NORANITA MANSOR

Date: 14.10.2009

x

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page 1.1 Universal Design Principles

12

2.2 Pattern Matching (Theory and Case Study)

66

3.1 Pattern matching (Theory and case study)

76

3.2 Score point

78

4.1 Data analysis of respondents and their house profile

93

4.2a Site entrance

102

4.2b Entrance Features: entry door

103

4.2c Entrance features: door Size

104

4.2d Entrance Features: Floor surface

105

4.2e Entrance Features: door handles

106

4.2f Entrance Features: opening clearance

107

4.3a Interior door: Size of doorway

109

4.3b Interior door: size: Toilet door

110

4.3c Interior door: size: Bedroom

111

4.3d Interior door: floor surface: doorway

112

4.3e Interior door: floor surface: Toilet door

113

4.3f Interior door: floor surface: Bedroom

114

4.3g Interior door: Door handle: doorway

115

4.3h Interior door: Door handle: Toilet door

116

4.3i Interior door: Door handle: Bedroom

117

4.3j Interior door: Door clearance: doorway

118

xi

4.3k Interior door: Door clearance: Toilet door

118

4.4a Staircase features: Staircase design

121

4.4b Staircase features: Handrail design

122

4.4c Staircase features: Railing

123

4.4d Staircase features: Handrail size

124

4.4e Staircase features: Railing treatment

125

4.5 Comparison of UD features and existing design features

127

4.6a Electrical appliances: Location

129

4.6b Electrical appliances: Height

130

4.6c Electrical appliances: Type

131

4.7 Description of scale

134

4.8 Usable and accessible score method

134

4.9a Section one: The width of entrance door

135

4.9b Entrance door: Summary score

136

4.10a Section two: Entry door floor surface

144

4.10b Entry door floor surface floor surface: summary score

144

4.11a Section three: type of door handle

151

4.11b Door handle: summary score

151

4.12a Section four: Door opening

159

4.12b Door opening: summary score

159

4.13a Section Five: Staircase design 165

xii

4.13b Staircase design: summary score

165

4.14a Section Six: Handrail

171

4.14b Handrail design: summary score

172

4.15a Section seven: Location and position of electrical switches and outlet

179

4.15b Location and position of electrical switches and outlet: summary score

179

5.1 UD Principles with Practical recommendations in house to enable people to live independently as they age

202

5.2 Main entrance

204

5.3 Door handle

205

5.4 Entrance floor surface

207

5.5 Staircase design 208

5.6 Handrail features

210

5.7 Railing treatments

211

5.8 Railing features

212

5.9 Internal door features

214

5.10 Interior door opening features

215

5.11 Appliances location

216

5.12 Height of electrical appliances

218

5.13 Height of electrical outlet

220

xiii

LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page

2.1 Research framework

65

3.1 Data collection process

80

3.2 Process of samples selection

83

4.1a Entrance door: Principle One: Equitable use

137

4.1b Entrance door: Principle Two: Flexibility in use

138

4.1c Entrance door: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

139

4.1d Entrance door: Principle four: Perceptible information

140

4.1e Entrance door: Principle five: Tolerance for error

141

4.1f Entrance door: Principle Six: Low physical effort

142

4.1g Entrance door: Principle Seven: Size and space approach and use

143

4.2a Entry door floor surface: Principle One: Equitable use

145

4.2b Entry door floor surface: Principle two: Flexibility in use

146

4.2c Entry door floor surface: Principle Three: Simple, intuitive use

147

4.2d Entry door floor surface: Principle Five: Tolerance for error

148

4.2e Entry door floor surface: Principle six: Low physical effort

149

4.2f Entry door floor surface: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use

150

4.3a Door handle: Principle one: Equitable use

152

xiv

 

4.3b Door handle: Principle two: Flexibility in use

153

4.3c Door handle: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

154

4.3d Door handle: Principle four: perceptible Information

155

4.3e Door handle: Principle five: tolerance for error

156

4.3f Door handle: Principle six: Low physical effort

157

4.3g Door handle: Principle seven: Size and space and use

158

4.4a Door opening: Principle one: Equitable use

160

4.4b Door opening: Principle two: Flexibility in use

161

4.4c Door opening: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

162

4.4d Door opening: Principle five: Tolerance for error

163

4.4e Door opening: Principle six: Low physical effort

164

4.4f Door opening: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use

164

4.5a Staircase design: Principle one: Equitable use

166

4.5b Staircase design: Principle two: Flexibility in use

167

4.5c Staircase design: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

167

4.5d Staircase design: Principle five: tolerance for error

168

4.5e Staircase design: Principle six: Low physical effort

169

4.5f Staircase design: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use

170

4.6a Handrail design: Principle one: Equitable use

173

xv

 

4.6b Handrail design: Principle two: Flexibility in use

174

4.6c Handrail design: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

175

4.6d Handrail design: Principle five: tolerance for error

176

4.6e Handrail design: Principle six: low physical effort

177

4.6f Handrail design: Principle seven: Size and space and use

178

4.7a Location and position of electrical switches and outlet: Principle one: Equitable use

180

4.7b Location and position of electrical switches and outlet : Principle two: Flexibility in use

181

4.7c Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle three: Simple, intuitive use

182

4.7d Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle four: Perceptible information

183

4.7e Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle five: tolerance for error

183

4.7f Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle six: Low physical effort

184

4.7g Location and position of electrical switches and outlets: Principle seven: Size and space approach and use

185

xvi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

1. UD Universal Design

2. UDPM Universal Design Performance Measure

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Most buildings today especially public and commercial buildings are heading

towards accessible and barrier-free design to accommodate special group of

population such as the elderly and disable people in supporting their active life

(Ward, 2006). However, private houses are still lagging behind in this issue. In

line with this issue, the study tried to fill in the gap in order to support the elder

occupants to live independently in their current house, as they age. This research

intended to evaluate the current house environment that people choose to reside,

can accommodate them to live independently when they grow older.

For most people, a house is more than a building: it is a state of mind, an

expression of personality, and the place where it is possible to accommodate

them at any circumstances in life. In recent years it has become widely

recognized that residential design need to address a dynamic range of people

and abilities (Ward, 2006). This is because, the world today is approaching a

crossroad where the population of older people is increased and this including

Malaysia. In year 2005, Malaysia has been classified as an ageing nation

(Department of statistic, Malaysia 2000). The number of elderly citizen rise to 1.7

2

million (7.2 percent of the population) and by year 2020, Malaysia will be a

mature society with 9.5 percent of the population aged 60 and above

(Department of statistic, Malaysia 2000). This statistic means that 1.4 million

older people today will be more than double in their numbers in 16 years time.

This shift in demographic is caused by declining fertility and mortality rates and it

has a multifaceted impact on our society especially in residential design.

Although many studies have been conducted in attempting to design better

houses, interiors and products for people, most of the research results are more

toward a special population rather then overall solution that can accommodate all

type of people. The result categorized consumers into two standards group of

people. There is a group of so-called average people such as young, healthy, fit

and able body, and the other group is categorised as “special population”, that

includes the disable and older people. In addition, The result were more on

special designs, special requirements and special devices to be added to new or

after the house was ready which often stigmatising, embarrassing, different

looking, and usually more costly for the occupants to add on.

Generally, living environment or houses regardless the costs have been

designed for use by one “average” physical type of people only, such as young,

fit, and adult (Imrie, 2006). The fact is that only some of us fit into those

descriptions, and none of us can be described in that way for a lifetime. For

example people are growing older everyday through their life transition; people

3

become temporarily disable because of sickness, accident, broken limb, serious

illness, or pregnancy. As a result, none of us can be described as an average

people for a life time. Therefore, this research attempts to employ a new design

paradigm known as Universal Design (UD), yet to be well established in

developing country; to make recommendations and options to house developers,

government and other professional bodies to design a house with a usable and

accessible design features to all people rather than focusing on special group of

people only.

As stated by Covington and Hannah (1997) the goal of UD is to accommodate as

many people as possible as they pursue the activities in their daily life. UD

concept in this research is intended to support everyone to live independently in

their current house as they growing older by making more usable and accessible

design features in house environment. UD is also known as inclusive design for

everyone, therefore in this research low-cost houses have been chosen as a

model to set a baseline that UD is not an exclusive design approach. For that

reason, design features of standard building and products that consist in all types

of building inclusive low-cost houses will be evaluated.

The evaluation on the accessible and usable design features will be assessed on

the fundamental of how one use and access standard building components such

as:

4

1. Opening features; for instance how resident approach, reach and access

the entrance and interior doors.

2. Vertical circulation for transporting resident to use and access upper and

lower level of the space.

3. Accessing and using electrical appliances.

Hence, this study will try to make a practical and economic sense that all family

members in the house can use and access the same amenities with equal

comfort, rather than to make use of duplicate and separate circulation paths,

vertical access, and other facilities when their ability or age change. In this

regard, understanding of use and access of one environment should be

evaluated to determine whether the house that one choose to reside allow them

to perform their daily activity independently regardless of their age and ability

throughout their life transition. So, this research is heading in a pro-active

direction to support people to stay independently in their current house as they

age.

Aizan (1999) reported that majority of Malaysian prefer to remain in their current

house as they get older. This indicate older Malaysian prefer to age in place

rather than moving to a totally new environment or to a public institution. In that

respect, it showed that older Malaysians demand the same choice and control in

their everyday lives to continue to live in their familiar environment independently.

An accessible and usable design features in a house is one of the option to

5

enables an individual to do what he or she needs and desires as independently

as possible (Centre for UD 1997).

Even though there is no legal and specific requirement for private houses to be

made accessible and usable to all occupants, but with the demographic change

and preference to age in place expressed by majority of older Malaysian, it is

hard to ignore the design features provided in house environment. Therefore, a

new shift of thinking in residential design and giving an option to occupants to

use and access the design features in their environment at any stage of their

circumstances is significant. The bottom line is that all house environments must

be considered as capable of being utilised (use and access) by everyone, and

must provide for their differing needs simultaneously. As a result this research is

a relatively instinctive approach in built environment, resulting from concern for

our own future needs and the proportions of older people in Malaysia.

Statement of the Problem

The problem addressed in this research deals with the dynamic nature of

people’s lives and the houses in which they choose to reside. As household

members grow older, their habits, lifestyles, and use of space change (Dobkin &

Peterson, 2000), yet residents often tend to regard the physical environment in

which these changes occur that the house remain as unchangeable. As reported

by Dobkin and Peterson (2000), the ageing process is not the main issue that