Building from needs: Developing optimal living environments for people with severe intellectual developmental disabilities and challenging behavior (ID-CB+), as well as for their families and caregivers

The built environment has a significant impact on human health. People with severe intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviors (ID-CB+) are limited in their ability to influence their (living) environment. It is therefore particularly important for them that their environment meets their individual needs and preferences in terms of space, noise, lighting, and safety, among other things. Scientific knowledge on this subject is limited, and those affected often live in environments that are unfit for human habitation. The available studies have focused primarily on the behavior of the client, often without sufficiently addressing their underlying needs. The needs of relatives and caregivers with regard to the living environment are usually not addressed at all in the literature. However, it is crucial that the living environment also meets their needs, as this can have an impact not only on their health and well-being, but also on their ability to provide high-quality care and support.

The objectives of this three-year research project are therefore: 1. To systematically identify the needs of people with ID-CB+, their relatives, and caregivers in relation to the living environment. 2. To identify architectural and design features that contribute to meeting the identified needs and thus have a measurable effect on the mental health and behavior of people with EVB+, their relatives, and caregivers. 3. To develop evidence-based design criteria for living environments that can be widely applied in the care of people with ID-CB+.

Vollmer, T.C., Koppen, G., Iovița, C., & Schießl, L. (2024). Therapeutic Architecture and Temporality: Evidence-Based Design for Long-Stay Facilities for Individuals with Severe Intellectual Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour. Architecture, 4(3), 541–570

Koppen, G. & Vollmer, T. C. (2022). Architektur als zweiter Körper: Eine Entwurfslehre für den evidenzbasierten Gesundheitsbau. Gebr. Mann Verlag, Berlin.

First, based on the results from work package 1 (qualitative assessment of needs), environmental variables will be created and translated into an EV index (Koppen & Vollmer, 2022; Vollmer et al. 2023). This index will be used to analyze five different care facilities. Subsequently, the mental health, well-being, and behavior of clients, relatives, and caregivers will be measured using validated questionnaires and test instruments. Finally, focus groups with relatives and caregivers will enrich the quantitative results. The final step of the research project involves an important development phase: the development of a teaching module to sensitize (future) caregivers to the influence of the living environment on clients, their relatives, and caregivers. In addition, a guideline with design criteria will be created, aimed at care organizations, architects, administrative staff, and professionals.

The results of this project provide guidance for adapting the physical environment to the needs of clients, relatives, and caregivers by providing concrete and evidence-based design criteria that can contribute to improving the quality of life, work, and care.