Meet Lily and Chen. Their bathroom remodeling project is an example of how to prepare a design program. We interviewed Lily and Chen at their home. We used the various forms and checklists from chapter 5, "Assessing Needs," to collect information for their design project. Then, we developed this design program.
After you read the design program, look at one of the designs that were prepared for Lily and Chen. Do you think the design meets their needs? Is the design solution functional, safe, and convenient? Use the Bathroom Planning Checklists (Table 10.3 and Table 10.4) to evaluate the plan.
This sample design program focuses on space planning, the emphasis in this book. If you were developing a design program, you will give more attention to color, style, and visual impact.
A Sample Design Program
Goals and Purpose
client description: Lily and Chen are a couple in their early fifties. They are both employed full time as professionals. Chen has Parkinson’s disease, which is expected to lead to mobility problems in the future.
Project description and goals: Lily and Chen have a spacious bathroom off their bedroom, which they would like to remodel to be more accessible in the event Chen needs to use mobility
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TABLE 10.3 Bathroom Planning Checklist—Guidelines Use this check sheet to determine that a bathroom design meets all code requirements and incorporates the recommended Planning Guidelines.
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Guideline |
Code Requirements |
Planning Guidelines |
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23. Mirror placed at user height |
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Toilet paper 8" to 12" (203 mm to 305 mm) to front of toilet, centered 26" (660 mm) above the floor |
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Other accessories located where needed |
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24. GFCI receptacles located where needed |
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At least one GFCI receptacle within 36" (914 mm) of outside edge of lavatory |
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No switches or receptacles within or accessible from tub/shower |
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25. General and task lighting provided, at least one switch at entry |
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Light in tub/shower suitable for damp location |
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No hanging fixture over tub zone of 3′ (36") x 8′ (96") (914 mm x 2438 mm) |
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26. Mechanical exhaust vented to the outside |
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3 sq. ft (0.278 square meters) window, 50% operable or mechanical system of 50 cfm (1.42 cubic meters/minute or 24 liters/second) |
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27. Supplemental heat source |
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Room can be heated to 68°F (20°C) |
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TABLE 10.4 Bathroom Planning Checklist—Access Standards. Use this check sheet to determine that a bathroom design meets all code requirements and incorporates the Access Standard appropriate to meet the client’s needs. |
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Guideline and Access Standards |
Code Requirements |
Access Standards |
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1. Door entry is 34" (864 mm) clear opening—36" (914 mm) wide door |
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2. Door does not interfere with fixture, cabinet |
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18" x 60" (457 mm x 1 524 mm) clear space on pull side of door |
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12" x 48" (305 mm x 1219 mm) clear space on push side of door |
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3. Code requirement meets Access Standard |
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4. Minimum 30" x 48" (762 mm x 1219 mm) clear space at lavatory, tub, shower, toilet/bidet |
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Minimum 36"x 27" x 8" (914 mm x 686 mm x 203 mm) wide knee space |
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Transfer space at toilet |
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5. Single lavatory centered at 24" (610 mm) from wall |
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6. Bathroom Planning Guideline meets Access Standard |
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7. Lavatory controls no higher than 34" (864 mm) |
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Lavatory controls within user’s reach, easy to operate |
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8. Counter edges clipped or rounded |
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9. Transfer shower (36" x 36"; 914 mm x 914 mm) or |
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Roll-in shower (30" x 60"; 762 mm x 1 524 mm) |
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10. Shower controls 38" to 48" (965 mm to 1219 mm) AFF, offset toward the room, with minimal effort, identified with red and blue indicators |
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Include handheld spray unit with minimum 59" (1499 mm) hose |
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11. Code requirement meets Access Standard |
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12. Shower includes seat 17" to 19" (432 mm to 483 mm) above shower floor, 15" (381 mm) deep |
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(continued ) |
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TABLE 10.4 (Continued )
aids in the future (Figure 10.13). In the existing bathroom, the toilet compartment may be limiting to accessibility. The door to the toilet compartment and access to the closet create a bottleneck in front of the vanity, especially in the morning. The jetted tub is seldom used, and can be removed to provide space for a larger shower. Only one vanity is needed in the bathroom, as a second vanity is going to be put into the adjoining bedroom. Storage is limited in the bathroom. In their remodeled bathroom, Lily and Chen would like a large, accessible shower, more space around the toilet, a single vanity, water-efficient plumbing fixtures and fittings, improved traffic flow, generous storage, natural light, easy maintenance, and traditional, but simple styling. Lily and Chen want to emphasize sustainability in the choice of products for the bathroom project. |
Scope of the Project
The designer will:
• Develop a design that meets the client needs
• Select all fixtures, fittings, and finish materials, considering the priorities of accessibility and sustainability
• Prepare drawings and specifications for completion of the project
• Supervise construction and installation of the project
Objectives and Priorities
• Design a shower that is large enough to use with a mobility aid
• Design an open toilet area that would meet accessibility for a mobility aid if needed in the future
• Provide at least one tall cabinet with generous storage for towels, grooming products, and medicines
• Improve traffic flow to the closet by moving the adjacent vanity and enlarging the door
• Allow a turning circle of 60 inches (1524 mm) in the bathroom
• Design a vanity area with open access space below the lavatory for seated use
• Specify a window in the exterior wall
• Select easy maintenance materials that resist moisture and are simple to clean
• Specify water-efficient plumbing fixtures and fittings, including choosing WaterSense® certified products where available
• Specify sustainable products that are certified to meet standards to the material, including using recycled materials if possible
• Specify materials and products with traditional, but simple styling
Activities and Relationships
A user analysis was prepared for Lily’s and Chen’s remodeling project, and is presented in Table 10.5.
