Abstract
This study was intended to suggest that new small-sized apartment houses should be designed and provided on the base of the concept of universal design. This is based on the diversity of each resident, that is, resident of not as a family, but as an individual. On the background of this, this study evaluated the small-sized apartment house in aspects of universal design. The walk-through and the residents' evaluation were carried out by using 60 items related to the principles of universal design. The 18 pyung apartment complex and housing unit in Jangyou new town area was evaluated. Also, 100 residents living in that apartment housing unit were asked to evaluate these 60 items by using 5 point Likert scale. The walk-through with measuring and taking pictures was carried out by researchers. In general, the apartment house was not met the fundamental elements of universal design. Thus, it was not appropriate for the disabled or the elderly to live in. Specially, the door width of bathroom and kitchen balcony was too narrow to pass through. Also, the floor of entrance and bathroom was not flat, so that the wheelchair user cannot enter by alone. The residents evaluated negatively many items related to design, such as shape, color, and material. Therefore, in order to provide the living environments for diverse residents such as the elderly, or the disabled to live together, the new small-sized apartment houses should be designed on the base of the principles of universal design.
