Accessible rental home: smoother life for everybody
Common-sense choices and, on the other hand, highly regulated methods of implementing the built environment—accessibility aims to make everyday life smooth for all our residents. But how is this practically put into practice in the common areas and outdoor spaces of SATO rental homes? And what can be done if your mobility changes and your current rental apartment no longer meets your daily needs?
When we think of accessibility, the first thing that comes to mind is the removal of physical barriers, but in SATOhomes, it means much more: solutions that work for everyone in everyday life, both indoors and outdoors. Let's ask what accessibility-related issues our construction planning team considers when designing a new building or renovating an existing one.
Accessibility is equality
An accessible environment treats all of us equally, regardless of our abilities. It enables living in the desired location and smooth participation in work, hobbies, culture, and studies. It is linked to both sustainable development and responsibility..
Accessibility enhances everyday convenience, regardless of age and physical characteristics, but it is particularly important for those with temporary or permanent mobility or functional limitations.
Jarkko Liuska, Director of Construction at SATO, explains: "All our new apartment buildings are designed to be accessible according to legal requirements. Common areas are planned and implemented so that a resident with mobility limitations can move, for example, in a wheelchair between their rental apartment and the outdoor areas and shared spaces of the apartment building."
In practice, this means supporting easier movement: the outdoor areas have at least one path with sufficiently gentle slopes leading to the main entrance, sufficiently gentle ramps, and, if necessary, even elevators. Indoor common areas are designed to be accessible.
Safe both indoors and out
In addition to facilitating movement, accessibility also considers the needs of users with other types of functional limitations: not everyone perceives their environment, sees, or hears in the same way.
That's why in the design of our homes, we pay attention not only to comfort but also to good acoustics, functionality, safety, clean indoor air, adequate and glare-free lighting, clear material and contrast choices, and easy-to-follow signage.
A starting point for designing common areas and outdoor spaces is that they should be suitable for people of different ages, those with mobility impairments, and those with other sensory differences. Jonna Röynä, SATO’s Space Planning Expert, explains: "In the walkways of the yard, we aim to use durable materials that are distinguishable by touch, for example, with a white cane. Adequate lighting is provided at all times of the day using motion and time sensors. Signage has sufficient contrast and is placed in visible locations. Entrances are also highlighted with colors and lighting to make them easier to detect."
"Elevators are subject to regulatory oversight," says Mika Fallström, SATO's Planning Manager. "For example, we implement the EN 81-70 standard in every new apartment building over two stories. This guideline ensures that everyone who moves independently can safely access and use the elevator," Mika explains.
Jonna adds, "With mobility-impaired individuals, the elderly, and children in mind, the floor numbers in stairwells are painted in large sizes and highlighted with accent colors, and for the fire authorities, they are also reflective."
"When walking through the lobby of an apartment building, you rarely pay attention to the floor, but even that is carefully considered in SATO's buildings. The roughness of the floor tiles is at least R11, the standard for public spaces, which prevents slips even for those with less confident footing," Mika smiles.
Shared spaces for everyone to use
Common auxiliary spaces in SATO homes, such as club rooms and saunas, are designed to complement each other and be located close together for ease of use. Additionally, at least one of the building’s saunas is designed to be accessible, including the restroom facilities. This means, for example, low thresholds and light switches that are at a usable height from a wheelchair.
"The spaces must also be large enough to allow for unobstructed movement and the structures must be sturdy enough to install, for example, support handles," Jonna clarifies.
The functionality of the space and furniture can be enhanced with thoughtful details, which is Jonna's expertise. "Handles in both common areas and residential rooms are designed to be easy to grasp. In common areas, the doors are marked with signs that indicate the function of the space, and you don’t need to search for light switches in the dark because lighting is mainly controlled by motion sensors," she explains. Hallways and doors are also designed to allow easy movement with mobility aids.
More accessible living through renovations
Many people have experienced climbing to the fifth floor of a building without an elevator or have stubbed their toes on a bathroom threshold that is significantly higher than the rest of the apartment. When do modifications need to be made to support accessibility in older homes?
"Finnish legislation began to take accessibility issues into account in the 1990s," says Juuso Kaukola-Risku, Head of SATO's Renovation Team, adding: "For older properties, current regulations typically come into effect during major renovations."
The situation before renovations must not be worsened, but the level can always be improved.
"When we plan a building’s renovation, we look at ways to improve accessibility, such as by lowering threshold heights, modifying or replacing elevators, or adjusting bathroom fixtures," Juuso adds, noting, "During renovations, it may not always be possible to meet all modern accessibility requirements due to the old dimensions, but updates are made as far as possible."
When your own mobility changes
What if there are changes in your mobility and the rental home that worked for you until now no longer suits your needs?
"We assess the possibilities on a case-by-case basis to make ramps or other improvements that enable the resident to continue living in their current apartment," Juuso explains. "We have also collaborated with disability services to customize the resident’s apartment to better suit their needs. For issues related to mobility, it’s worth contacting the Service Manager of your building. Together with them, you can explore what options and alternatives SATO can offer."