As our population ages, more and more consideration must be given to the design of our homes and interior environments to facilitate older Australians, or those with a disability, to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Given that the average Australian bathroom is only renovated every 15-20 years, it’s even more vital than ever that our designers are thinking long term about the needs of their clients.
Bathrooms, probably more than any other internal space, lend themselves to danger when one is unsteady on their feet. Falls getting in and out of the bath or shower become more commonplace, as does difficulty handling tapware.
And it’s not just the elderly who are struggling. Many people with disabilities also find the bathroom a difficult space to negotiate particularly if mobility is an issue.
So I was pleased to receive a press release today detailing a new product from Safe Bath Australasia which allows users to step directly into the bath/shower with only a small step up, rather than a high rim to negotiate. Combined bath/showers are used commonly where space is an issue and so are seen in many apartments and townhouses. I think this is a particularly neat version of a concept which has been around for a while, but one of which we could afford to see a lot more.
The Banksia Del-1500 incorporates a bath with back support and options that include an air spa and 1900mm shower screen. It’s compact, too, at only 1502mm x 750mm x 560mm. The easy-open door is palm-activated and comes fully-plumbed for easy installation with the hand shower, waterfall taps, water mixer and waste water drain included.
What I like about this design particularly is that it’s quite stylish and doesn’t look at all institutional (which is a common theme of many of the other products in this sector). I have a member of my family with reduced mobility and we are regularly bemoaning the fact that many products produced to meet additional needs don’t have any sense of style or taste. Well, I think this product goes some way to redressing this shortfall.
All Safe Bath products meet Australian Standards.
The Banksia is part of a broader range of products which can be viewed at www.safebath.com.au
So, I’d like to hear from you designers: do you find much requirement to consider additional needs when designing for clients? And, if so, what are some of the strategies you employ? What do you think of this product? Would you use it?
