Residential Design For Aging in Place

Drue Lawlor, FASID and Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hoboken, NJ

From two ASID-endorsed designers, Residential Design for Aging in Place by Drue Lawlor, FASID and Michael A. Thomas, FASID, CAPS, is a book for kitchen and bath professionals looking to better understand the design needs of an aging population. Incorporating design concepts and principles with discussion of design solutions and product options, this guide to designing homes explains how to meet the needs of clients who intend to age in place with style.

The book includes in-depth case studies, quotes and key statistics about demographic trends. For instance, more than 77 percent of all Americans over 45 live in single-family residences. Excerpts from interviews with clients are also included.

Topics explored include assessing the elder population, addressing the need for short-term and long-term care adaptations, understanding the concepts of exterior and whole house accessibility, designing for the kitchen and bath, and laws, codes and standards, as well as how to best work with aging specialists, such as elder-law attorneys and physical and occupational therapists. Information about the International Code Council, National Fire Protection Association and Americans with Disabilities Act is covered.

The book includes chapters devoted specifically to baths and kitchens. Each chapter includes charts, references and full layout plans to assist industry professionals in designing for clients who choose to remain in their homes as they age.

Sustainable Construction

Sandy Halliday
Butterworth-Heinemann
Burlington, MA

According to Sandy Halliday, sustainable development has been misconstrued as a hardship on development, instead of a limit on inappropriate construction methods. However, in her book Sustainable Construction, she hopes to shed light on reversing these trends by creating healthy spaces for the future. Based on her workshops for construction professionals, this book provides information about the technical skills needed to implement sustainable concepts.

The text covers the history of ideas, materials, measurements and building design over the past several decades, and how the concept of eco-friendly design has influenced them. This book offers a guide for designers, project managers, builders, construction professionals and anyone interested in how to design with the future in mind. Halliday summarizes existing sources while incorporating her own experiences into the best practices for “green” design.