Designing Spaces for Millennials vs. Gen X-ers & Boomers

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

Designing with Boomers in Mind for Luxury Hospitality Brands

Do you have a luxury hospitality brand aimed at the financially-secure baby boomer generation?  Designing for an older generation isn’t just about a more traditional aesthetic.  It requires an understanding of the physical and mental characteristics of this population.  Most of us begin to notice changes in our body and memory in our mid-forties, and around the age of 60, more noticeable changes begin to occur, requiring different design parameters.

The majority of boomers have vision problems, are sensitive to glare, and are also hearing impaired.  These problems cause discomfort and affect attention span, making conversations difficult which can create a sense of isolation.  Dining areas filled with glare and noise exacerbate the problem.  Tables should be small and the chair arms should fit under the table so food isn’t out of reach.  Arms on dining chairs as well as sofas and accent chairs should extend beyond the seat so the person can stand up and sit with better support, and the seat should not be too low.

With the use of well-designed lighting, proper flooring materials, level and interesting walking paths, and well-designed handrails and supports, seniors can increase their mobility and get more exercise which increases both their physical and mental health.  Circulatory problems, agitation, and depression are at least partially caused by lack of motion.  People feel more comfortable moving around in an environment that offers stability. A well-designed handrail along corridors and walkways allows people to grasp the rail and permits them to glide along the rail, leaning on the forearm if needed.  And oval shape, with a broader, flat surface that can be used for arm support is best.  Insufficient lighting along walkways is one of the biggest problems for those with vision problems. 

Using softer flooring materials such as wood or faux wood with rubber padding under it, or a low-pile carpet helps mitigate the hazards of a fall.  Throw rugs, although homey, are major trip hazards.  In addition to being soft, carpet improves acoustics and reduces glare which is a huge issue for older eyes.  Patterns in the flooring material should be kept to a minimum, because they can put seniors off balance.  There should be a clear distinction between the vertical wall plane and the horizontal floor plane.  That means matching the wall base to the wall, not the floor.  Because of impaired depth perception, a sharp contrast between the color of the floor and the wall is necessary.  Balance is affected when the distinction is not clear. 

Most buildings aren’t designed with an understanding of managing not only physical impairment, but cognitive impairment as well.  Building and interior design is integral to wellbeing for seniors.  There will be a larger percentage of the total elderly population in the future, and the number of disabled seniors is expected to grow.   Most seniors have multiple disabilities, but environments can be designed to provide support, enhance, and simplify lives, and make them more enjoyable.

The author, Elisa Garcia, leads Statement Design, a wellness-focused interior design and construction management firm in California.  www.statementdesignstudio.com

Today's Hospitality Design Trends: Wellness & Communal Spaces for Interconnectedness

See article published at:

https://lodgingmagazine.com/eight-ways-to-fostering-wellness-and-interconnectedness-through-hotel-design/