Poster presentation:
Preferences of Seniors concerning Design of Outdoor Public Space Furniture for Sitting
Kłos, Robert; Jankowska Anna; Fabisiak, Beata
The number of seniors rises in all continents. As global aging accelerates we face huge social and economic challenge. Being prepared for those changes is crucial for various actors both private and public ones. Modern public spaces need to evolve to reduce ageism and be friendly to all. Regions and cities more and more often think of redesigning the public space to meet the needs of their elderly citizens. In order to identify preferences of seniors in relation to characteristics of outdoor public space furniture for sitting the pilot survey studies and direct interviews with 127 respondents aged 60+ were conducted. It was found that the most important for seniors issues concerned not only the external form and functional solutions implemented in the analyzed furniture items but also their number, availability and maintenance. The most crucial features improving functionality of outdoor furniture for sitting indicated by respondents included functional dimensions adjusted to senior needs and additional handles facilitating standing up and sitting down. Moreover the design enabling social interactions and integration while being in the public space was highlighted.
Key words: furniture design, public space, seniors preferences
Link: https://baltsenior.com/library?id=0f9b2183-a6d0-4a56-9734-59533fbfc9cf
Manuscripts:
Possibilities of ICT Implementation in Furniture for Seniors
Fabisiak, Beata; Kłos, Robert; Merilampi, Sari
The aim of the paper is to describe the possibilities of implementation of information and communication technologies in futuristic furniture design aimed at raising comfort and safety of seniors living at home. The literature review covered the information and communication technologies, the characteristics of information society in Poland and the range of ICT solutions available on the market or under development in research projects. In order to recognize the needs for new, conceptual ideas integrating ICT with elements of interior design a survey studies among seniors were conducted. Moreover the preferences regarding information and communication technologies that could be useful in various areas of senior households were analysed.
Key words: design, furniture, ICT, preferences, survey research
Link: https://baltsenior.com/library?id=f6c9cfb3-9b21-4d83-ad9f-4c989cc34dc6
Determination of reliability of a selected cabinet furniture joint
Kłos, Robert
The paper presents the problem of determining the parameters of reliability of angle joint with confirmat screw used in the construction of cabinet furniture. The laboratory stands for determining load bearing capacity and reliability were presented. To determine the parameters of reliability specialized software Weibull ++ was used.
Key words: furniture, reliability, joint
Link: https://baltsenior.com/library?id=cda47349-9609-4827-a3de-e068e3e0cbf3
Preferences of senior users concerning construction and design of bedroom furniture
Fabisiak, Beata; Kłos, Robert
The number of elderly citizens has been growing rapidly in contemporary societies. This previously neglected group of consumers aged 60+, having specific requirements and preferences, starts to play an increasingly important role in the modification of the range of products available on the market. Thus designers and manufacturers need to gather the greatest possible amount of information concerning this group of users. In order to identify preferences of seniors in relation to characteristics of bedroom furniture the questionnaire studies and direct interviews with 55 respondents aged 63-72 years were conducted. It was found that the most preferable characteristics of bedroom furniture included stain-resistant fabric, removable upholstery covers and a bedding storage box. The most important elements enhancing functionality of furniture for sitting and lying indicated by respondents included additional lighting sources and handles facilitating standing up.
Key words: design, elderly, bedroom furniture, preferences
Link: https://baltsenior.com/library?id=65db4349-6466-4452-af8d-b486c483ad9e
3D Printed Age Simulator as a Tool Facilitating the Process of Furniture Designing for Seniors
Fabisiak, Beata; Kłos, Robert
The demographical changes have caused a great interest in the subject of designing for seniors. Consequently, companies are motivated to modify their offer and adjust the products to the needs of the elderly. The process of recognition and understanding of body limitations resulting from different types of ageing-related dysfunctions can be however difficult. To gain a better view of the problems seniors face during their daily activities designers may use empathy training with the usage of age suits. Still, even though there are several solutions available, furniture manufacturers rarely use them in their daily practice. Thus, we created an alternative that is more accessible, especially for the SMEs. The aim of the article is to present the design process and evaluation of entirely 3D printed age simulator. It gives the user the emphatic view of the world of seniors and consequently facilitates the inclusive design process. We provided furniture manufacturers with a design support tool that is easy to use and affordable. It allows to develop empathy skills, feel age-related changes of limited mobility, body posture, reduced arms or legs movement, deterioration in vision, and thus experience and understand better how daily activities may become difficult while getting older.
Key words: age simulator, furniture design, seniors
Link: https://baltsenior.com/library?id=fb74403e-533e-42f4-b817-b779f833a4cb
Attitudes of Polish Seniors toward the Use of Public Space during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Fabisiak, Beata; Jankowska, Anna; Kłos, Robert
The number of seniors rises worldwide. The lockdown of public institutions caused by COVID-19 influenced the lives of many of them. In the new reality, owners and managers of public spaces need to rethink the way they provide their services, and redesign public spaces to meet the needs of senior citizens. This requires the recognition of the needs of seniors concerning the use of public spaces in the times of the COVID-19 hazard. To investigate this issue, survey studies with 1000 respondents aged 65+ were conducted. The implementation of the obtained data in the process of redesigning public spaces may facilitate the opening up after the lockdown. Taking into account the requirements of a very large group of citizens being seniors is crucial, as it was found that 55% of respondents will also be afraid to use public spaces after the COVID-19 lockdown. The selected ideas that could minimize the feeling of fear when using public spaces after the lockdown were evaluated by seniors.
Key words: furniture, design, public areas, ageing populations, coronavirus, lockdown
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/23/8885/htm
Comparative Study on Design and Functionality Requirements for Senior-friendly Furniture for Sitting
Fabisiak, Beata; Jankowska, Anna; Kłos, Robert, Joan Knudsen, Sari Merilampi, and Elina Priedulena
Furniture manufacturers’ response to the demographic challenge of aging nations is an important issue. The number of seniors is rising worldwide. The aging process often results in multiple health implications, including weaker mobility, decrease in muscle mass, and change in anthropometrical dimensions of the human body. Thus, the furniture offered should be adjusted to the needs of an increasing group of senior customers. To identify seniors’ preferences in relation to characteristics of sitting furniture, international surveys with 627 respondents aged 60+ years were conducted in Poland, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania. The implementation of this data in the design process may result in creation of the market offer meeting seniors’ needs. Design and functionality features were examined to provide guidance for senior-friendly development of furniture for sitting. Among the most important findings is the clear preference of having an armchair with the high backrest reaching above the head, a chair with armrests and an upholstered backrest and seat. Furthermore, respondents paid attention to the durability of furniture, stain resistance of upholstery, and adaptation of the furniture to the user’s dimensions, e.g., having influence on the height and depth of the seat before the purchase.
Key words: furniture for sitting; design; functionality; senior-friendly; age-generations; baltic sea region countries
Preferences of seniors living in selected Baltic Sea region countries towards the use of indoor public space furniture
Beata Fabisiak, Anna Jankowska, Robert Kłos, Joan Knudsen, Catharina Gillsjö, Igor Kuprienko, Lyudmila Vidiasova, Anja Poberznik, Vineta Kreigere
Demographic changes can be observed all over the world. The number of seniors located in the societies of well-developed countries continues to rise. Both enterprises and governments need to be prepared for such changes. Consequently, public spaces need to evolve to reduce problems related to ageism and be friendly to all. Much attention is currently being paid to finding solutions for redesigning public spaces and adjusting them to the needs and requirements of senior citizens. To identify the preferences of seniors in relation to the characteristics of furniture in indoor public spaces, a survey study with 1539 respondents aged 60+ was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Sweden. The gathered data were coded and implemented to the unified database. The statistical grouping method was used to recognize the characteristics of the needs and attitudes of seniors related to the use of public space furniture. The main variables taken into consideration in the analysis were the age and gender of respondents and their country of living. Among the most important findings are those indicating the necessity to provide the increased number of furniture for sitting in the public spaces and making sure they are not located too far away from each other. As the main disadvantages of public space furniture respondents indicated the lack of armrests or other solutions to facilitate getting up and/or sitting down, as well as profiled backrests that constitute solid support for the spine. The implementation of these data in the process of rethinking and redesigning public spaces may support the adaptation of indoor public furniture according to the requirements of a very large group of customers, namely, seniors.
Key words: furniture; design; functionality; senior-friendly; age-generations; baltic sea region countries
Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0258676