Preferences in Nursing Home Design

This action research project explored discrepancies in design preference among designers and two groups of users: nursing home residents and administrators. Each group was asked to select its preference among a series of design alternatives, several of which were visually illustrated on a questionnaire. Participants were presented two or more alternatives on a series of design issues: lounge design, dining room table design, dining room seating arrangements, overall nursing home design, residents' room furnishings. Significant differences among groups were found on all design choices except table design and overall nursing home design. The major pattern in the results is that although both administrators and designers favored designs that promote social interaction, nursing home residents consistently selected designs that enhance privacy. Implications for the inclusion of resident data in the nursing home design process are discussed.