It seems like everyone is designing spaces or experiences
for millennials these days. Here at
Statement Design Studio, we definitely have our fair share of design projects
aimed at the 30-something set like the Under Canvas resort we’re designing near
Yosemite. But with my generation – the
Gen X’ers - now starting to turn 55 years old, I’ve become increasingly
interested in designing spaces that make life better for the over 50 set. I’ve
always studied psychology to understand how building design affects people’s
emotions and instincts, but, more recently, I’ve been studying biology to
understand how the biology of people as they age affect how they perceive
spaces, and how spaces can be better designed for their specific needs.
Millennials are looking for more extreme experiences,
something to tweet about, and to be totally surprised and truly wowed by
venues. After all, if they can’t post it on social media for all to see, did it
really even exist? They don’t want to inhabit spaces, they want to inhabit art
installations! They value unique-ness, and
the combination of nature, sustainable design, and technology. For Under Canvas, a high-end “glamping”
resort, they get that.
Yet the environments designed for millennials can be
overstimulating for an older age group.
Bright colors are ok for just about any age group, and actually are
preferable for older adults who, by the age of 60, experience colors in a more
muted way. Eyesight problems are the most common problems of later life, and
lighting must be designed differently for people over 60. Material selection must also be adjusted to
reduce the glare that becomes a problem for older eyes. The correct window coverings as well must be
selected to reduce glare. Bold patterns
in carpets or on walls can make older adults feel unstable. Hearing issues are another major problem for
older adults, and special attention should be paid to the acoustical design of
a space that will be occupied by people over 50. Adults over 40 or 50 also tend to want a more
relaxing environment with a warmer feel.
If you’re trying to attract an older, more affluent customer,
then design your space with that customer’s needs in mind. Many adults over the age of 50 avoid loud
places with poor acoustics where it’s difficult to have a conversation, just as
many millennials flock to loud nightclubs. Don’t mistakenly think that just because
certain design features are trendy or popular, that they’re appropriate for all
ages. Design may seem subjective, and it
is in many ways, but it’s part science as much as it is part art.
Learn more at www.statementdesignstudio.com
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