In the early 1900's, the average lifespan of human beings was forty-seven and people with spinal cord injuries had only a10% chance of survival.  Healthier living, improved medical care and advancements in technology have increased our lifespan number to seventy-five.  Collaboration between interior designes, healthcare professionals, home builders, architects and other industry professionals will produce spaces that empower people to live and work comfortably, regardless of age or physical impairment. 

 Our seminars are fashioned to bring awareness of our changing demographics and the need to design our spaces in accordance with this change.  It is our desire to bring others along on our journey to creating beautiful, livable, effortless spaces in which to age gracefully.

 Life Span Design as the New Hybrid

Session Summary:

This course explores three categories of specialized design that incorporated into Life Span interiors: Universal, Sustainable, and Biophilic.  Rather than being the restrictive, code-laden type of desig it is perceived to be, Life Span Design offers the design professional an opportunity for creativity and innovation unmatched in many others of design.

Designing for Diversity -  Ten day student project workshop

Session Summary:

A workshop to explore design through multi-sensorial perception

The aim of the Designing for Diversity workshop is to investigate Universal Design from the perspective of a physically impaired user  through a series of lectures, research, simulation exercises and subjective experiencing of environments.

Universal Design Practice -  Half-day Workshop

Session Summary:

Planning for the Future While Embracing the Present

Food for thought:

If there is no exclusion, we do not need to think about inclusion; therefore, understanding exclusion is the first step to achieving inclusion. The face of design is changing to a type of social activity combining the skills of designers and design partners and aimed at empowerment through social inclusion and the enhancement of quality of life. Design has the power to change social perspectives on critical issues.

The Three "C's" of Transgenerational Workspaces

Session Summary:

This course will indentify the characteristics and essential core spaces needed to accommodate the increasing mix of mature knowledge workers with young creative professionals in today's workplace.  Differences in vision, hearing, cognitive abilities and mobility vary not only in genetic conditins, but with age as well.

Considering these elements in design while simultaneously creating worspaces for collaboratin, concentratin, and contemplation we will provide the best possible scenario for successful, efficient employees.

National and International Trends:

A Global Perspective on Inclusive Design   .1 CEU

Session Summary:

When we are young, our bodies have the capability to respond and adapt to the changes forced on us by our environments. This capability decreases with age, however, and stresses that we would have easily adapted to at an earlier age overwhelm us with sometimes fatal consequences.

The design industry is experiencing a similar metamorphosis in that the things that we have done previously to achieve success are no longer sufficient in themselves. Designing for the aging, while currently viewed as an elective activity for most, will become an area of necessitated expertise in the very near future. With this area of practice also comes the reality of essential collaboration between non-traditional professionals and extended client relationships.

This course seeks to soften the transition into this new area by planting seeds of knowledge on which the participant can build to prepare for the next wave in design.

Designing Inclusive Spaces:  Have you got the guts?  .1 CEU

Session Summary:

What does it take to incorporate Inclusive Design into the built environment?  Whether you choose to specialize in this are or simply wish to integrate the practices into your current projects, getting buy-in from builders, developers and the general public is not for the faint of heart.  This course focises on information to aid the design professional from the marketing, networking, and best practices standpoint.

Inviting Others to Play in Your Sandbox

Half-day collaborative design workshop

 Session Summary:

There is a way to involve others in the design process that is fun, active and stimulating. As the design profession continues to evolve into a more social activity, new techniques are being developed to involve all of the stakeholders in the development stage of a project to ensure success and to enhance elements such as sustainability and barrier-free design features. This workshop was developed to give design professionals new tools and ideas to use in the design development process with their clients. Now more than ever it is imperative that we have a distinguishing characteristic for our businesses that gives us a competitive edge.  All work and no play make Jane dull, so come play in the sandbox with us for a little while!