Requirements of the Elderly in Interior Design Based on a Survey as a First Stage of Smart Interior Design

As the number of the aged in the world is expected to rise dramatically, the built environment should be adjusted to accommodate aging in place, and most of the facilities currently available are inadequate in terms of interior design requirements to support the functional and psychological needs of the aged. The purpose of this study is to establish the design needs of the aged by incorporating smart technology in interior architecture to make them safer and self-reliant. The methodology will apply a descriptive methodology by use of literature review and an analytical approach by use of a questionnaire of 153 residents within the Egyptian communities of Madinaty and Rehab to measure health, physical, and social needs. The main findings suggest high incidences of mobility disorders and a severe requirement of health management, and 94% of participants reported that they needed a medication management tool and 69% reported that they had problems with grip or movement. Accordingly, automated adaptive furniture, bathroom safety improvements, and fall detection are in high demand but the lack of technological skill would require easy to understand interfaces such as voice controls. Moreover, economic factors promote the use of eco-friendly solutions to minimize the expenses overall. The paper finds that to promote dignified independent living among the ageing population, it is necessary to implement smart interior design structures based on the focus on invisible technology, the barrier-free environments, and the social connectivity.