Urban housing and ageing in place: a preliminary study of spatial ergonomics in residential interiors for older adults in India

Purpose The population of older adults is growing rapidly and “ageing-in-place” has become the dominant living arrangement in India. Yet residential interiors in urban environments for older adults continue to be designed on Western anthropometric standards that overlook the physical and cultural needs of older Indians. This study aims to be a preliminary examination of the spatial ergonomics of the “Critical Triad” of kitchen, bedroom and toilet in urban homes in Tamil Nadu, India. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method study was conducted with 30 participants (24 elderly and 6 middle-aged occupants) across Coimbatore, Salem and Vellore cities of Tamil Nadu, India. Data were collected through on-site spatial measurement, behavioural mapping, semi-structured interviews and expert photography and analysed using prevalence ranking and chi-square tests of association. Findings The study found extensive body-space mismatch rooted in Western-derived design dimensions. Ninety percent of elderly women reported physical strain while working in modular kitchens, 87% of participants lived with fear of falling in toilets and all participants reported discomfort from glossy bedroom flooring and inadequate circulation space. Chi-square analysis confirmed that several kitchen hazards (grinder use, prolonged standing, slippery flooring) are significantly gendered, while bedroom and toilet hazards affect both genders comparably. The erosion of traditional South Indian features such as verandas, detached toilets and semi-open kitchens was linked to heightened safety anxiety and physical dependency. Originality/value The study derives age-adjusted anthropometric benchmarks from National Institute of Design data and translates them into measurable architectural parameters and room layouts for the Critical Triad, offering designers an evidence-based, culturally grounded framework for age-responsive housing in South India.