Northumbria University has been awarded funding to design and develop a new purpose-built home office within a house prototype, which will enable people to work from home and ‘age in place’
Northumbria University, alongside the Design Age Institute, will design and develop a purpose-built work from home office within a house prototype, to be built at South Seaham Garden Village in County Durham.
The research is led by Paul Jones, professor of architecture at Northumbria, and is one of six Pathfinder Projects announced by the Design Age Institute to develop commercially viable products and services that will enable individuals and communities to maintain an active and joyful life at every age.
UK housing industry has been criticised for not adapting to work from home lifestyle
The UK housing industry has been criticised for not responding to the challenges of growing old, as it continues to build homes that are difficult to adapt to, including work from home facilities, and compromising the ability for people to ‘age in place’.
The new project is supported by Karbon Homes as part of their commitment to ageing innovation and ageing-in-place strategies within the village, building on previous research they have worked on in collaboration with the University.
Pathfinder Project to create a home office blueprint
This Pathfinder Project will lead to a blueprint of how older people can work from home efficiently and effectively and remain productive beyond retirement age.
The home office will consider layout, ergonomics, flexible and demountable furniture, lighting, and smart technology.
The office will be co-designed with members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and older people, in collaboration with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing(NICA) and Voice, a community of patients, carers and members of the public contributing their lived experience to inform health research.
Older people benefit from the work from home environment
Professor Paul Jones commented: “Since the onset of the pandemic, working at home has become the norm. We know that older people (along with the young) were most likely to be made redundant as a result of Covid.
“The cost of living has risen sharply, and pensions are not keeping pace with this rise. Many older people have therefore decided to set up businesses at home.
“However, the domestic environment and the functionality of the home is not always conducive. Working in later life must be considered in a different way. Long hours in front of a monitor in the same position, for instance, is not suitable.
“Research suggests older workers need more breaks; they need to exercise and stretch; have access to a better and more tailored ergonomic environment; and opportunity to collaborate and meet others to develop ideas and avoid loneliness.”
