The dwelling as locus for all stages in life, on accessibility and usability in future-oriented housing for all of the 2030s

Accessibility and usability of the home environment has attained a new meaning as workplace and safe zone through the pandemic. The lack of accessible and usable housing for older persons and people with disabilities is troublesome. High building costs are seen as the main reason, while societal requirements are viewed as too extensive.

Accessibility is an aspect of Agenda 2030 (global goals 11 and 16), but practice parallels it with compact and flexible housing based on minimum requirements rather than disability needs.The research project explores how the concept of accessibility and usability is transferred into functional requirements for residential architecture in countries with a similar use of the concept as in Sweden.

Building regulations are analyzed and experts interviewed about implementation and appropriate solutions. Exemplary housing is identified and assessed in relation to Swedish regulations.

Architects behind the solutions are interviewed about their understanding of the concept.The project uses case studies with interviews, key words, and document analysis.

Research material undergoes discursive analyses to describe how the concepts of accessibility and usability are realized in appropriate housing.

By studying requirements of building regulations and their realisation, the project describes how accessible and useful dwellings can be designed. The result provides new knowledge about residential architecture for the long-term needs of the welfare society.