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Light: Towards an Inclusive Perspective

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Advances in Design for Inclusion

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 500))

Abstract

Current research was conducted to gain more insight in how staircase design can contribute in creating a safe and pleasant home environment for older adults. Participants of varying ages (from students to older adults) took part in three studies that combined experimental designs with semi-structured interviews. Renderings of a staircase were created showing different light settings in a nightly situation, from a downward view as well as from an upward view. A mockup staircase with five steps, five different lighting settings and three possible cover materials was custom built. The following specific questions were addressed: (1) which light setting for which cover material can be considered as the most clearly visible and preferred option and (2) what type of additional lighting is best suited at what illuminance level to increase depth perception in stair descent. Guidelines regarding staircase design are formulated by and for (future) interior designers.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Lisa Wastiels for her valuable suggestions. This research was supported by the government agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) – Flanders, project ‘Groen Licht Vlaanderen 2020’ IWT.100955.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building E, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium

    Kim Janssens, Jan Vanrie & Katelijn Quartier

  2. BBRI, Laboratory of Sustainable Development, Poincarélaan, 79, 1060, Brussels, Belgium

    Stefan Danschutter

Authors
  1. Kim Janssens
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  2. Jan Vanrie
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  3. Katelijn Quartier
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  4. Stefan Danschutter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim Janssens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Chieti-Pescara , Pescara, Chieti, Italy

    Giuseppe Di Bucchianico

  2. EIDD - Design for All Europe , Oliveto Lario, Italy

    Pete Kercher

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Janssens, K., Vanrie, J., Quartier, K., Danschutter, S. (2016). Light: Towards an Inclusive Perspective. In: Di Bucchianico, G., Kercher, P. (eds) Advances in Design for Inclusion. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 500. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41961-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41962-6

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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