Ageless design project gets go-ahead

The  partnership project of the Independent Living Centre (ILC) and Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) has received $50,000 from the Federal Government’s Department of Health and Ageing’s, Office for an Ageing Australia.

It will be used to develop a centralised information website for universal and ageless design in Australia by building upon the current ANUHD web site.

The project seeks to fulfill a key action point arising from the 2005 National Speakers Series: A Community for All Ages: Building for the Future. This speaker series was successful in sparking dialogue among professionals involved in the planning, design and building of Australia’s built environment.

Through bringing together builders, planners, architects, designers, government and everyday people, the series sought to discuss and highlight the housing and community needs of today and tomorrow’s Australians.

The project aims to establish the ANUHD website as the central location for information on universal and ageless design in Australia.

By working to establish partnerships with key housing and community living stakeholders, professional associations, academic institutions and manufacturers , the website will allow a wide range of users to access the most up-to-date information on lifecycle sensitive, universal design.

Ranging from case studies on universally designed homes to information on ‘user friendly’ tap hardware, the site will provide a  unique mix of information of interest to both the professional and the individual.

From the inquisitive architect to the active retiree, the site will be of benefit to anyone wishing to intelligently and elegantly incorporate universal design into their home and living environments. The new website is scheduled to be launched later in 2008.

The existing ANUHD website is at www.anuhd.org