Ahrentzen, S and Tural, E (2015) The role of building design and interiors in ageing actively at home. Building Research & Information, 43(5), pp. 582-601. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This systematic research review examines the role of building-and interior-scale environmental factors of homes and residential developments in promoting or inhibiting older adults sedentary behaviour and active living. Using an adaptation of the Cochrane Review protocol, the search and screen for relevant, rigorous research studies resulted in 37 research articles. The review focuses on six built environment characteristics: (1) barriers, supports and features that fit'; (2) spatial organization and layout; (3) environmental cues; (4) ambient qualities; (5) assistive technologies; and (6) gardens and outdoor spaces. Accessibility-oriented features dominated the studies and findings. Pathway and corridor design, and environmental cues that convey an instrumental function of a space also facilitated active living. Ambient features such as lighting quality and meaningful sounds and aromas were important facilitators to active living among residents with dementia. To strengthen the knowledge base of the field and its application in design and improvements of residential environments, future research should focus on: detailed measurement of built environment factors as well as active living; increasing use of digital technologies for such measurements; multidisciplinary research teams; and policy-driven research questions that arise with housing the growing population of older adults in a healthy manner.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | active living; age; buildings; built environment; design characteristics; health; housing; older adults; physical activity; residential; sedentary behaviour |
| Index terms: | housing, digital technology, residential development, environmental factor, sedentary behaviour, built environment, physical activity, population, adaptation, facilitator, accessibility, dementia, building design, knowledge base |
| Subjects: | inclusive design, economic development, information systems, infrastructure and transport systems, health conditions and diseases, demography, computing systems, practitioner, health behaviours and lifestyles, user focus, construction type, architectural design, environmental science |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here