Senior living homes
Entry Circulation Design for Senior living homes
Give people and equipment a route that remains usable during normal work, arrivals and cleaning.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Map separately who enters, what they carry and where they turn or pause.
- Move stopping points out of through routes, especially beside doors and intersections.
- Put the largest regularly moved item on the plan and trace the full trip, including both ends.
Worked example
Guests entering a home cross the path of someone carrying food from the kitchen to the dining area.
Place the arrival pause beside the entry rather than in the direct line through the home. Test the route with a coat being removed and a tray carried at the same time.
How to test it
Run two movements at once during the test walk. Note which person must stop, reverse or step into another activity.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Provide a seat and drop surface beside the door while keeping the approach free of loose items.
- Detail
- Use a firm bench, clear address and threshold contrast, plus bright even entry lighting.
- Trade-off
- A larger bench aids changing shoes but can crowd a narrow vestibule.
- Try entry with bags and mobility aids
- Check threshold transitions and door hardware
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