Habinteg Housing Association and the Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) have launched a new guide aimed at inspiring and equiping built environment professionals to create inclusive, adaptable homes for all.

The Inclusive Housing Design Guide (IHDG) goes beyond physical access to consider additional aspects, such as visual and sensory access, and aims to demonstrate how truly accessible, adaptable and inclusive housing design can be achieved by:

• Dispelling common misunderstandings about Building Regulations Approved Document Part M Volume 1, M4(2) accessible and adaptable dwellings and M4(3) wheelchair user dwellings

• Providing practical guidance with explanations, photos and insights that demonstrate the rationale for exceeding the minimum requirements of Part M

• Using scale drawings to demonstrate how people, and those assisting, access and use the space, to justify where minimum requirements should be exceeded
• Providing case studies and technical specifications to demonstrate cost effective ways to deliver inclusive, attractive, accessible and adaptable homes
• Providing guidance on fixtures, fittings and finishes, including lighting, which respond to a broad range of people, such as those with sensory and cognitive impairments including dementia, and neurodivergent people.

The new volume builds on Habinteg’s Wheelchair Housing Design Guide (3^rd Ed) by addressing not only M4(3) wheelchair requirements but providing the rationale for exceeding M4(2) accessible and adaptable, in addition to considerations for outside space and connectivity to the local neighbourhood.

Authored by Jacquel Runnalls, and peer reviewed by Marney Walker, both occupational therapists who specialise in advising on the design of accessible, attractive and inclusive housing.

The guide is informed by the author’s experience of applying good practice guidance and M4(2) and M4(3) requirements in the design and delivery of a range of housing developments, and a career learning from, and working with, disabled and older people to understand the barriers experienced due to poor design.

Drawing on this knowledge, the guide provides insights into how the design of homes can improve quality of life and be flexible and adaptable to changing needs throughout a person’s lifetime.

Jacquel Runnalls said: “My hope is that providing much-needed practical guidance will help to design and build spaces, inside and outside the home, which are flexible, sustainable, functional, future proofed, attractive and aspirational, showing they don’t have to cost more and, in fact, can provide a range of significant benefits”.

“I was keen to embed considerations for the wider population and other aspects not covered in ADM such as outside space, scale drawings with people to evidence spatial and circulatory requirements, as well as photos, insights and case studies to show what works, or doesn’t, and why.”

Christina McGill, Habinteg’s Director of Social Impact and External Affairs, said: “Habinteg has a proud history of promoting the best in inclusive housing design and we are delighted to be partnering with RIBA to publish this landmark volume.

“The guide draws on the invaluable expertise of its author, who has years’ of experience applying best practice in accessible housing development and listening to the needs and experiences of disabled residents.

“Because it provides insights and real-life examples as well as technical detail, we hope this book will prove to be an invaluable resource that will inspire and equip professionals to design homes that are not just accessible, but truly liveable for all.”

Marney Walker said: “As peer reviewer, this has been an opportunity to share my learning from working with older and disabled people to demonstrate how the design of housing can adapt to the diversity of changing abilities of individuals and families throughout a life.”

The volume will be published on 1 October 2024 and is available to pre-order from CAE’s website at cae.org.uk/our-services/shop