Designing the Home to Meet the Needs of Tomorrow ... Today: Smart technology, health and well-being

This paper considers the role of smart home technology in relation to current housing design principles within the field of health and well being. The concepts of barrier free ‘lifetime homes’ and universal design are considered and UK community care and Building Regulations are investigated in relation to the design process. It is contended that the current role of assistive technology in relation to people with disabilities and older people can be developed through the use of smart home technology and that the concept of the home design should extend beyond the ‘bricks and mortar’ physical approach to take account of rapid advances in information and control technology. The also paper highlights the international EU funded research project CUSTODIAN. 1 Also known as ‘Design for Life’ 2 This project is funded under the European Commission DGIX ‘TIDE’ Programme dedicated to developing the role of ‘Smart Home Systems’ in the homes of older people and people with disabilities. 3 Conceptualisation for User involvement in Specification and Tools Offering the Delivery of system Integration Around home Networks Designing the Home to Meet the Needs of Tomorrow...Today 2 of 16