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| HEWI System 800 Grab Rail |
For all the criticism that modern architecture receives, it is undeniable that the factors modern designers have to consider in even the smallest building, are much more numerous than those that the much celebrated Victorian architects ever had to consider! Amongst these factors, accessibility and sustainability are those that designers come across on a daily basis at all stages of the design process and which often present the biggest challenge in how to incorporate them in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Since the early nineties, accessibility legislation has been introduced across the world making it mandatory to ensure equal access to buildings, their facilities and services. Even though it is now over 20 years since the US first introduced their anti discrimination legislation, it is sadly the case that accessibility is often a secondary concern to designers and is often added on as an after thought or even hidden out of the way. One of the reasons for this is that the products to help designers incorporate accessibility within the design language of their projects just weren't available.
However with the increasing emphasis on sustainability, the issue is being re-framed as universal design. There is now increased impetus on manufacturers to provide solutions which enable property owners to make their homes and projects suitable for the span of the inhabitants ages as well as their families'
Some of these products have been honoured by the Red Dot design awards in both design concept and realised product categories.
Bathtubs
For years accessible bathrooms have omitted bathtubs in favour of level access showers. One of the reasons for this is that the accessible bathtub options available are usually reminiscent of care homes - which is not a look that sells high end apartments! Two product concepts awarded Red Dot awards in 2011 rethink this unattractive bath type.
The first is this interesting bathtub design named the Flume bathtub by designers Kim Jung Su, Yoon Ji Soo & Kim Dong Hwan. The design works on a see saw principle, using the weight of the water to level out the bath tub as it fills.
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| Flume Bathtub |
Another, the inflatable bathtub by designer Su Pin Chia, focuses on a different way to deal with the door in the traditional accessible bath. Unfortunately details are not available on how this bathtub would be cleaned but it is undeniably an attractive and innovative re-imagining of the type.
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Inflatable Bathtub |
Whilst the previous bathtubs are very imaginative, both are unfortunately still at the concept stage. A less innovative re-imagining, but one that is available to buy, is this accessible bathtub from German firm Saniku.
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| Saniku Bathtub |
On a practical note - something that it often overlooked by designers when specifying this type of bathtub, is the importance of checking the flow rate of the tap. This is particularly important because the user has to sit in the tub as it fills and empties and that can get chilly!
Accessible Accessories
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| HEWI System 800 Adjustable mirror |
Sometimes it's the small details that make all the difference, and not just aesthetically. Placement of mirrors, grab rails and even power points can really help make a bathroom accessible for everyone. Unfortunately finding attractive grab rails can be a real uphill battle. The image at the start of this blog entry shows an attractive version from architectural hardware firm Hewi.
Hewi, another German firm, started developing products for the disabled and elderly in 1979. Since then it has won numerous consumer as well as design awards, including for it's system 800 range from which the selected images are taken. Many of the products, like the stools below, combine plastics with chrome to allow designers to have a minimalist appearance that still fulfils practical requirements.
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| HEWI System 800 Hinged Seat |
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| HEWI System 800 Shower Stool |
However, the holy grail of grab rails is a rail that is warm to the touch but doesn't look plastic. Hewi claim to have developed one with their Warm Touch product range that claims a high gloss chrome appearance with the physical characteristics of Polyamide. Unfortunately they still have only standard round grab rails available in this coating but it is to be hoped that they will gradually roll out the coating to their 800 range products.
Links
Saniku bathtub
http://en.red-dot.org/2845.html?&cHash=b14b6f500a0ef940b3005c97dce1fe95&detail=4079
http://www.saniku.de/
Flume bathtub
http://www.red-dot.sg/concept/porfolio/o_e/BR/R046.htm
Inflatable bathtub
http://www.red-dot.sg/concept/porfolio/o_e/BR/R049.htm
General design led accessible fittings/System 800
http://www.hewi.de/content/de/index.php
http://www.hewi.de/content/en/produkte/Sanitaer/system800/ue/
