ACTUAL CONDITION AND EVALUATION OF SATISFACTION OF KITCHEN SPACE FOR THE ELDERLY FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF BARRIER-FREE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

The purpose of this study is to evaluate elements of kitchen space from the viewpoint of a barrier-free environment for the elderly. There are two aspects in barrier-free design, physical and sensory aspects. Although there has been a lot of research from the viewpoint of freedom from physical barriers, there has been little research on freedom from sensory barriers. We conducted a questionnaire survey of elderly and middle-aged subjects. The results can be summarized as follows: 1 In terms of a barrier-free kitchen space, satisfaction with the thermal environment rates is worst out of several sensory factors for the elderly. 2 Satisfaction with the thermal environment of summer is lower than winter. 3 To achieve barrier-free kitchen design for the elderly, it is necessary to seriously consider to prevent heatillness in summer.