Lifemark promotes universal design in housing in New Zealand. Lifemark’s new website has a fresh look but stays true to it’s core value of inclusion. Similarly to other countries, New Zealand faces strong resistance by the housing industry. However, Lifemark is making inroads slowly, but surely.
The core element of Lifemark® is their standards based on universal design principles. As they say, “Universal design is essential for many, necessary for others, and comfortable for all”. Image from iStock in Lifemark Standards
The ABC of universal design
Lifemark’s new website continues the theme of the ABC of universal design which is, Access, Bathroom and Circulation.
Access: at least one level entry, step-free pathway and entrance.
Bathroom: well positioned toilet on the entry level with reinforced walls for later grab rails.
Circulation: spaces are easy to move between with wider doorways and hallways.
Lifemark® Design Standards
The standards are based on five key principles: Usability, Adaptability, Accessibility, Safety, and Lifetime value. There are three levels to the standard based on a star rating similar to that of Livable Housing Design Guidelines.
The three star level is based on visitable requirements and improved comfort similar to Livable Housing Silver level. The four star level offers a higher level of comfort and is suitable for ageing in place – Livable Housing Gold level. It also supports people with reduced mobility. The five star rating is specifically for wheelchair users and others with higher support needs – Livable Housing Platinum level.
Individuals can access Lifemark’s Design for Life brochure on the website by providing an email address.
Lifemark’s Case Studies
Case studies on the website cover three scenarios. The first is an example of using incentives to include universal design at the planning stage. The second is incorporating universal design into a master housing plan. The third is a case study on a retirement village development. The video below gives an occupant perspective. (Note the automatic captioning does not account for a New Zealand accent.)
Lifemark was New Zealand’s equivalent to Livable Housing Australia until they went in different directions. Livable Housing Australia discontinued its work in 2015, but the website with guidelines remained active until 2023. This was when the Livable Housing Design Standard was mandated in the National Construction Code. Lifemark merged with CCS Disability Action and continues promote universal design in housing.
One thing they shared in common was the absolute resistance for change from the housing industry lobby.
Livable Housing Australia
The Australian Building Codes Board adopted most of the Livable Housing Design Silver level in the National Construction Code in 2022. It is known as the Livable Housing Design Standard. Queensland was the first jurisdiction to adopt the Standard followed by ACT and Victoria. Other jurisdictions have either watered down the elements, or in the case of NSW and Western Australia they have refused to adopt the Standard.
The power of the housing industry lobby, not to be confused with ordinary developers and builders, over the political process is obvious. This was pointed out in a recent study by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.
The story of getting the Australian Building Codes Board to incorporate universal design into housing into the National Construction code is told by Ward and Bringolf. This paper is from the proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Universal Design.