New building design guidelines for disabled and elderly

There will soon be safer homes and more accessible buildings for the disabled and the elderly, with new design guidelines that take into account their needs.

On Monday (Jul 27), the Building and Construction Authority introduced several new measures to create a more inclusive living environment, which it said will benefit people of all ages and needs, such as mothers with young children.

One of the measures is the launch of a set of enhanced Universal Design Mark criteria, which set higher certification benchmarks and provides an expanded design scope for buildings.

These include the additional criteria of installing assistive hearing facilities for the elderly with hearing difficulties.

The authority also collaborated with SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Standards Council to launch the "Singapore Standard SS605 - Guide for Age-Friendly Homes". 

It will provide guidance on specific design considerations that will benefit the elderly, through safer, more comfortable and accessible homes. These include providing grab bars, non-trip flooring and adaptable toilet layouts.