Conceptualising future proof homes

When health changes due to age, accidents or other life circumstances, the time spent at home tends to increase considerably, and comfort levels can become strained. This research aims to build a framework to conceptualise a house able to support its users’ wellbeing through time, starting with an analysis of older adults’ experiences and needs. The ongoing project follows an exploratory sequential mixed method on the Scottish Highlands, and this paper explains the qualitative stage of the research. Following a systematic literature review, ethnographic data were collected with several community groups in small towns and rural areas of Scotland. In future stages, a housing solution will be developed with an interdisciplinary focus, including potential users in participatory design activities. Findings include insights on emotional meaning about ‘home’, day to day challenges related to house space distribution and elements or resources that enable users. This analysis will set up the specification for a new future proof timber frame home concept.