# What goes into a home designed for ageing in place - **Source:** EdgeProp Singapore - **Published:** 2026-08-06T03:00:00.000Z - **Author:** Fiona Lam - **Original:** https://www.edgeprop.sg/property-news/what-goes-home-designed-ageing-place - **Topics:** HDB & Public Housing, Private Residential, Government & Policy ## Featured rationale Growing demand for age-friendly design may influence renovation priorities and developer specifications across HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes, potentially reducing costly future modifications. ## AI summary Singapore homes are increasingly incorporating flexible layouts, barrier-free access, accessible facilities and adaptable fittings to support residents ageing in place. ## Original article [object Object],[object Object],[object Object] With Singapore's population ageing rapidly, homes are being built or renovated to support residents as their mobility, care and social needs change over time. For homeowners who intend to remain in their own homes as they grow older, age-friendly features are incorporated into HDB flats, condos and landed properties from the outset or planned early as part of renovations. At the estate level, ageing-in-place design focuses on barrier-free access, intuitive wayfinding and well-connected communal spaces that encourage residents to stay active and socially engaged. Read also: Why some young Singaporeans are opting out of the homeownership path Achieving smooth and seamless pedestrian circulation is a key priority at the development level, notes ADDP Architects. The firm integrates barrier-free access throughout developments with lifts, accessible ramps, and by minimising level differences, allows residents to move comfortably between pedestrian entrances, residential floors, common facilities and basement car parks. Designing spaces for connection A people-centric approach is also central to planning communal spaces, an ADDP spokesperson says. Shared facilities — such as outdoor pavilions, gyms, function halls and community rooms — in ADDP’s projects are designed to be fully accessible so elderly residents and wheelchair users can participate in social, recreational and community activities. In particular, three-generation (3G or 3Gen) fitness corners can cater to users of different ages and abilities. Such amenities incorporate children’s playgrounds, adult fitness and elderly fitness stations, usually placed near each other where possible. “These spaces encourage residents to stay active while promoting interaction across generations, supporting both physical wellbeing and social connectedness,” the ADDP spokesperson says. Rather than constraining design, senior-friendly considerations can become the springboard, for some, of a project’s most distinctive features. Read also: Co-living, senior housing in sharper investor focus; lines blur between living formats Mark Denis Ong, group director at P&T’s Singapore studio, reckons that designing to address a site’s unique characteristics — such as connections to key amenities in the area or the topography — while resolving considerations such as barrier-free design can often create the development’s signature features. “In many of our projects, a number of their most distinctive characteristics, whether a vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare, a dramatic sky terrace or viewing platform, a sculptural clubhouse or a unique landscape space, were actually created partly due to the seemingly unrelated considerations,” he continues. Easy navigation with colours, icons Meanwhile, Immortal, the branding and wayfinding team at Ong&Ong, has devised dementia-friendly wayfinding solutions for Khatib Central, Chong Pang City, and housing blocks along Ang Mo Kio Avenues 1 and 10 — residential estates with a growing demographic of elderly residents. The objective was to create a system that helps seniors and those with dementia to navigate around their neighbourhood safely and independently, guided by research on user needs. Residential blocks at Khatib Central and Chong Pang City were sectioned into zones, and each was assigned a colour that was painted on the facade. Block numbers are also prominently displayed in large fonts, making them easily legible from a distance. Other features of the wayfinding project include super-sized graphic walls and pillar signage with directional elements, universal icons, and stencilled symbols of pineapples, tropical fish and rubber trees, chosen for their close association with the area’s heritage. Read also: Inventing Kaera: Architect and material scientist Kody Kato on building in harmony with nature "These simple yet distinctive visual cues serve as visual anchors for clear identification," says an Ong&Ong spokesperson. Flexible homes that adapt over time Within individual homes, unit layouts will ideally be designed for flexibility and multigenerational use. This is so that they can evolve and serve different needs as the occupants go through varying life stages and living arrangements. P&T’s Ong frames ageing-in-place as a lifelong design principle. "Ageing-in-place is as applicable for the home of a newly-wed couple in their late 20s or 30s, as it is for a couple in their retirement years," he says. A number of P&T’s private residential projects feature flexible layouts with room alignments that allow for the seamless flow of space, with minimal wall kinks. Walls can be knocked down to expand spaces, and can also be built or rebuilt to create new spaces. This is similar to HDB’s recent open-concept “white flat” layout, which features a contiguous living and bedroom space without partitions and beams. The aim is to give homeowners an open canvas to easily design, adapt and configure their living spaces. There has also been an increase in condo unit layouts with study rooms or “flexi” areas that can be used in a variety of ways. “They can be part of a larger living or kitchen space, a store room, a home office, or a room for a caregiver when the need comes,” Ong says. For example, at The Continuum condo in District 15, unit configurations include a study space, as well as hackable or adaptable non-load-bearing walls that let owners open up or modify room boundaries. P&T was the architect for the 816-unit project, which launched in 2023. ADDP applies similar thinking to flexible planning. A room next to the master bedroom can initially function as a nursery or children’s room, and later be adapted into a caregiver’s room or a bedroom for an elderly family member. The goal is to create homes and developments that support residents throughout every stage of life, integrating universal design considerations from the outset. In ADDP’s view, combining flexible layouts with inclusive design principles will enable a home to adapt naturally to changing family structures, lifestyles and mobility needs without requiring major alterations, even if residents may not require accessibility features immediately. Meanwhile, designing to suit three-generation households — for the elderly to live with their adult children and grandchildren — also facilitates ageing in place, says Ong of P&T. In the private residential sector, such multigenerational unit designs may come in the form of large-format layouts that include a junior master bedroom with an attached bathroom, he notes. At times, these junior master bedrooms are positioned at the opposite end of the unit from the master bedroom. Purpose-built for smart, accessible living Jadescape, a 1,206-unit condo in District 20 designed by Ong&Ong, was the first development to include what the developer dubs “Gold Standard” units — residences customised and fitted out specifically for active senior living. Smart features in these units include the Smart IP Camera, for real-time monitoring of elderly parents by children and caregivers, and the Smart Sleep Sensor, which analyses residents’ health by monitoring sleep patterns. The entire unit is also accessible, with gentle sloping ramps at the entrance and balcony instead of steps. Kitchen cabinets are set at comfortable heights with pull-down hydraulic racks. Grab bars are mounted in the bathroom; together with slip-resistant floor tiles, they provide safety even in wet environments. Tailoring interiors to the individual Interior designers translate a resident’s daily needs into finishes, furniture and lighting choices. Oak Spring, a senior-focused interior design (ID) firm, begins each project by understanding how the resident lives, moves and manages their day, as well as their health condition and support needs. It works closely with occupational therapy partners from day one. “Every senior ages differently,” says Edwin Phua, director, business development at Oak Spring. “Someone managing Parkinson’s has very different spatial and safety needs from someone recovering post-stroke, or living with early-stage dementia.” An occupational therapist first assesses the resident’s physical abilities, mobility, daily routines and future care needs. The Oak Spring design team then translates those clinical recommendations into living spaces that are "practical, elegant and functional without losing the warmth of a home", Phua says. Common interventions include wider circulation for wheelchairs or walkers, step-free transitions between rooms, reinforced walls for future grab bar installation, lever-type handles and taps, and layered lighting to improve visibility. "We're careful not to let these features read as clinical," Phua notes. Spatial planning and lighting To help seniors navigate their environments safely, D'Perception Ritz turns to curvilinear forms and clear spatial planning. Often, this provides a sense of security to explore spaces without disorientation and encourages interaction through designed touch-points or social interactions, says Chee Su Eing, managing director of D’Perception Ritz. The ID practice's work spans luxury residences, developer showflats, eldercare facilities, offices, retail stores and more. "We approach almost every design with the practicality of ageing in place in mind, since everyone will age," she adds. She also names lighting efficacy as an important factor, given that an elderly person typically requires a higher lux level than a younger person to feel comfortable. Good spatial planning optimises natural lighting and stimulates its effects in environments where it is lacking, Chee notes. Future-proofing landed homes In most landed properties, stairs are a daily fact of life — driving much of the demand for home lifts. Immerse Lifts, which specialises in lift installation, has recently received more enquiries aimed at making landed homes more senior-friendly, with platform lifts being more popular due to the lower cost of installation. For homeowners not yet ready to install a lift but who want to leave the option open, Immerse Lifts recommends setting aside an airwell of about 1.6m by 1.6m of clear space, which its spokesperson says will be a “good size” to fit a platform lift later. He also observes many homeowners wanting a lift large enough to fit both a wheelchair user and a helper at the same time, which adds to the space and cost involved. Separately, Ong&Ong has seen more landed property clients requesting help to retrofit a first-storey bathroom for barrier-free access. Making everyday living easier and safer Fittings and appliances make up the smaller-scale decisions in readying a home for occupants to age in place. Swiss brand V-Zug, which creates high-end kitchen and laundry appliances, suggests homeowners look out for intuitive operation, safety by design, long-lasting quality and durability, and reliable after-sales support when choosing appliances for long-term use. For example, this could mean clear displays, simple controls and ergonomic interfaces. Induction cooking also reduces burn risk, while sensors and automation help make appliances easy to use. An important consideration for homeowners is planning appliance renovation during renovation. “Installing ovens at a comfortable working height or raising a dishwasher or washing machine on a plinth can significantly reduce bending and make everyday use easier,” a V-Zug spokesperson says. The company’s products are also compatible with assistive technologies, and many appliances can be connected to its home app for convenience and remote monitoring. Built for every generation Planning for ageing in place early can help homeowners avoid more extensive and disruptive modifications later. Ong of P&T also highlights that the needs of seniors and younger residents tend to overlap rather than compete. “The old and the young have more in common than we think. Many of the features we provide to be sensitive to the elderly’s needs can similarly cater to the needs of the young, or those taking care of the young,” he says. Ramps, for instance, are just as necessary for seniors and wheelchair users as it is for a parent pushing a stroller or an able-bodied person with a trolley filled with groceries. Beyond individual homes, Ong believes age-friendly communities should also encourage interaction across generations. In a number of P&T’s HDB projects, the firm tries to position childcare facilities close to elderly-focused amenities, such as active ageing centres, where possible to encourage intergenerational bonding. ## Chinese translation > Translation model: openai_codex_cli ### 为原居安老而设计的住宅包含哪些元素 为一生设计住宅：灵活布局、家用电梯、家电及其他支持在家养老的功能。 [object Object],[object Object],[object Object] 随着新加坡人口迅速老龄化，住宅正通过新建或翻新来支持居民在行动能力、照护和社交需求随时间变化时的需要。 对于打算随着年纪增长仍留在自己家中的屋主而言，适老化功能会从一开始就纳入HDB组屋、公寓和有地住宅，或在翻新早期阶段进行规划。 在社区层面，原居安老设计侧重于无障碍通行、直观导向系统，以及连接良好的公共空间，以鼓励居民保持活跃并参与社交。 另读：为什么一些年轻新加坡人选择退出置业路径 ADDP Architects指出，在发展项目层面，实现顺畅且无缝的行人动线是一个关键优先事项。 该公司通过电梯、无障碍坡道，并尽量减少高低差，把无障碍通行整合到整个发展项目中，让居民能舒适地在行人入口、住宅楼层、公共设施和地下停车场之间移动。 为连接而设计空间 ADDP发言人表示，以人为本的方法也是公共空间规划的核心。 ADDP项目中的共享设施，如户外亭阁、健身房、功能厅和社区室，均设计为完全无障碍，使年长居民和轮椅使用者能够参与社交、休闲和社区活动。 尤其是三代同堂（3G或3Gen）健身角，可服务不同年龄和能力的使用者。这类设施纳入儿童游乐场、成人健身和年长者健身站，通常在条件允许时彼此相邻设置。 ADDP发言人表示：“这些空间鼓励居民保持活跃，同时促进跨代互动，支持身心健康和社会联系。” 对一些人而言，适老化考量并非限制设计，反而可以成为项目最具特色功能的起点。 另读：共居、乐龄住宅更受投资者关注；不同居住形态之间的界线变得模糊 P&T新加坡工作室集团董事Mark Denis Ong认为，在解决无障碍设计等考量的同时，针对地块的独特特征进行设计，例如与区域内主要设施的连接或地形，往往能创造出发展项目的标志性特色。 他继续说：“在我们的许多项目中，一些最具特色的特征，无论是充满活力的步行通道、戏剧性的空中露台或观景平台、雕塑感的会所，还是独特的景观空间，实际上部分都是由于这些看似无关的考量而创造出来的。” 用颜色、图标轻松导航 与此同时，Ong&Ong旗下的品牌和导向团队Immortal，为Khatib Central、Chong Pang City，以及宏茂桥1道和10道沿线组屋座设计了失智友善导向解决方案。这些住宅区的年长居民群体正在增长。 目标是创建一个系统，帮助年长者和失智症患者在研究用户需求的基础上，在邻里中安全、独立地导航。 Khatib Central和Chong Pang City的住宅座被划分为不同区域，每个区域分配一种颜色并涂在外立面上。座号也以大字体醒目展示，方便从远处清楚识别。 导向项目的其他功能包括超大型图形墙和带有方向元素的柱面标识、通用图标，以及菠萝、热带鱼和橡胶树的镂印符号，这些图案因与当地历史传承密切相关而被选中。 另读：发明Kaera：建筑师兼材料科学家Kody Kato谈如何与自然和谐建造 Ong&Ong发言人表示：“这些简单而鲜明的视觉线索可作为清晰识别的视觉锚点。” 可随时间调整的灵活住宅 在单个住宅内部，单位布局理想情况下应为灵活性和多代同住而设计。这样，当居住者经历不同人生阶段和居住安排时，住宅就能演变并服务不同需求。 P&T的Ong将原居安老视为一项贯穿一生的设计原则。 他说：“原居安老既适用于一对二十多岁或三十多岁新婚夫妇的家，也适用于一对退休夫妇的家。” P&T的多个私人住宅项目采用灵活布局，房间排列允许空间无缝流动，墙体转折尽量减少。墙可以拆除以扩大空间，也可以建造或重建以创造新空间。 这类似于HDB最近推出的开放概念“白居组屋”布局，其特点是客厅和卧室空间连续，没有隔断和横梁。 目标是为屋主提供一块开放画布，让他们能轻松设计、调整和配置居住空间。 带书房或“灵活”区域的公寓单位布局也有所增加，可用于多种方式。Ong说：“它们可以成为更大客厅或厨房空间的一部分、储藏室、家庭办公室，或在需要时成为照护者的房间。” 例如，在第15区的The Continuum公寓，单位配置包括书房空间，以及可拆改或可调整的非承重墙，让业主能够打开或修改房间边界。P&T是这个816个单位项目的建筑师，该项目于2023年推出。 ADDP也将类似思路应用于灵活规划。主卧旁边的房间最初可作为婴儿房或儿童房，之后可改作照护者房间或年长家庭成员的卧室。 目标是创造能够支持居民人生每个阶段的住宅和发展项目，从一开始就整合通用设计考量。 ADDP认为，把灵活布局与包容性设计原则结合起来，即使居民当下未必需要无障碍功能，也能让住宅自然适应不断变化的家庭结构、生活方式和行动需求，而无需进行重大改动。 与此同时，P&T的Ong表示，为三代同堂家庭设计，即让年长者与成年子女和孙辈同住，也有助于原居安老。 他指出，在私人住宅领域，这类多代同住单位设计可能采用大户型布局形式，包括带连接浴室的小主人房。有时，这些小主人房会被安排在单位中与主卧相对的另一端。 为智能、无障碍生活量身打造 由Ong&Ong设计、位于第20区的1,206个单位公寓Jadescape，是首个纳入发展商称为“Gold Standard”单位的发展项目。这些住宅专门为活跃乐龄生活定制并配备。 这些单位中的智能功能包括Smart IP Camera，供子女和照护者实时监测年迈父母，以及Smart Sleep Sensor，通过监测睡眠模式分析居民健康。 整个单位也实现无障碍，入口和阳台采用平缓坡道而非台阶。 厨房橱柜设置在舒适高度，并配有下拉式液压架。浴室安装扶手；配合防滑地砖，即使在潮湿环境中也能提供安全保障。 按个人需求定制室内空间 室内设计师把居民的日常需求转化为饰面、家具和照明选择。 专注于乐龄的室内设计（ID）公司Oak Spring，在每个项目开始时都会了解居民如何生活、行动和安排一天，以及其健康状况和支持需求。它从第一天起就与职业治疗合作伙伴紧密合作。 Oak Spring业务发展董事Edwin Phua表示：“每位年长者的老化方式都不同。管理帕金森病的人，与中风后康复者或早期失智症患者，在空间和安全需求上非常不同。” 职业治疗师首先评估居民的身体能力、行动能力、日常作息和未来照护需求。 Phua说，Oak Spring设计团队随后把这些临床建议转化为“实用、优雅且功能性强，同时不失家的温暖”的居住空间。 常见干预措施包括为轮椅或助行器提供更宽的通行动线、房间之间的无台阶过渡、为未来安装扶手而加固墙体、杠杆式门把和水龙头，以及分层照明以提高可见度。 Phua指出：“我们很小心，不让这些功能看起来像临床设施。” 空间规划与照明 为了帮助年长者安全地在环境中移动，D'Perception Ritz采用曲线形态和清晰的空间规划。 D’Perception Ritz董事总经理Chee Su Eing表示，这通常能带来安全感，让人们在不迷失方向的情况下探索空间，并通过设计的接触点或社交互动鼓励交流。 这家室内设计公司的业务涵盖豪华住宅、发展商示范单位、养老护理设施、办公室、零售店等。 她补充说：“我们几乎在每个设计中都会以原居安老的实用性为考量，因为每个人都会变老。” 她还指出照明效能是一个重要因素，因为年长者通常需要比年轻人更高的照度水平才会感到舒适。 Chee指出，良好的空间规划可优化自然采光，并在缺乏自然光的环境中激发其效果。 为有地住宅预留未来条件 在大多数有地住宅中，楼梯是日常生活的一部分，这推动了大量家用电梯需求。 专门从事电梯安装的Immerse Lifts最近收到更多咨询，旨在让有地住宅更适合年长者，其中平台升降机因安装成本较低而更受欢迎。 对于尚未准备安装电梯、但想保留这一选项的屋主，Immerse Lifts建议预留一个约1.6m乘1.6m净空间的采光井。其发言人表示，这将是日后安装平台升降机的“合适尺寸”。 他还观察到，许多屋主希望电梯足够大，能同时容纳一名轮椅使用者和一名帮佣，这会增加所需空间和成本。 另外，Ong&Ong也看到更多有地住宅客户要求协助改造一楼浴室，以实现无障碍通行。 让日常生活更轻松、更安全 在为居住者原居安老做准备时，配件和家电构成了较小尺度的决策。 生产高端厨房和洗衣家电的瑞士品牌V-Zug建议，屋主在选择长期使用的家电时，应关注直观操作、以安全为核心的设计、持久品质和耐用性，以及可靠的售后支持。 例如，这可能意味着清晰的显示屏、简单的控制和符合人体工学的界面。电磁炉烹饪也降低了烫伤风险，而传感器和自动化功能有助于让家电更易使用。 屋主需要考虑的一个重要事项，是在翻新期间规划家电翻新。 V-Zug发言人表示：“把烤箱安装在舒适的工作高度，或把洗碗机或洗衣机垫高在基座上，可以显著减少弯腰，让日常使用更轻松。” 该公司的产品也兼容辅助技术，许多家电可连接至其家居应用程序，以实现便利使用和远程监测。 为每一代人而建 及早规划原居安老，有助于屋主避免日后进行更大规模且更具干扰性的改动。 P&T的Ong也强调，年长者和年轻居民的需求往往是重叠的，而不是相互竞争的。 他说：“年长者和年轻人之间的共同点比我们想象的更多。我们为照顾年长者需求而提供的许多功能，同样可以满足年轻人的需求，或照顾年轻人的人的需求。” 例如，坡道对年长者和轮椅使用者是必要的，对推婴儿车的父母或推着装满食品杂货手推车的健全人士同样必要。 在单个住宅之外，Ong认为适老化社区也应鼓励跨代互动。 在P&T的多个HDB组屋项目中，该公司会在条件允许时尝试把托儿设施安排在靠近以年长者为重点的设施旁，例如活跃乐龄中心，以鼓励跨代联结。