Universal Design: Solutions for a Barrier-Free Living

The future is looking old. We are currently at the threshold of the largest demographic transformation of modern times, the advent of the age of the senior citizen. What awaits us—what kinds of products, what kinds of houses?

The fifty-and-over generation represents an enormous potential: in Germany alone, twenty million seniors have hundreds of billions of euros, but they hardly spend them for lack of suitable products.

This book provides answers from a sociological and design perspective for architects, designers, decision-makers, and firms who wish to respond to the demands of this diverse and discriminating target group. It investigates the various aspects of senior citizens’ lives from tip to toe and offers technical articles as well as authentic case studies and reports.

Attractively laid out, fully illustrated, and with pointedly written texts, it is also aimed at the silver agers themselves, especially those who would like to find out what architecture and design can do to make their lives as pleasant and independent as possible.

The future is looking old. We are currently at the threshold of the largest demographic transformation of modern times, the advent of the age of the senior citizen. What awaits us—what kinds of products, what kinds of houses?

The fifty-and-over generation represents an enormous potential: in Germany alone, twenty million seniors have hundreds of billions of euros, but they hardly spend them for lack of suitable products.

This book provides answers from a sociological and design perspective for architects, designers, decision-makers, and firms who wish to respond to the demands of this diverse and discriminating target group. It investigates the various aspects of senior citizens’ lives from tip to toe and offers technical articles as well as authentic case studies and reports.

Attractively laid out, fully illustrated, and with pointedly written texts, it is also aimed at the silver agers themselves, especially those who would like to find out what architecture and design can do to make their lives as pleasant and independent as possible.

Oliver Herwig completed his studies in art history and German language and literature. Today he works for the Bayerische Rundfunk (Bavarian Radio) as well as the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Frankfurter Rundschau (both prominent national newspapers) as an independent journalist. In 2005 he received a teaching appointment in the theory of design at the Universities of Basel and Karlsruhe.