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Livable housing design prioritises accessibility, adaptability, comfort, safety, and sustainability in residential homes. The concept encompasses various principles and strategies to improve the quality of life of your clients. When designing for livability, you'll want to consider:

1. Accessibility: Does your design allow access for people of all ages and abilities? Including features like step-free entrances, wide doorways, and accessible bathrooms and kitchens is a crucial start. (Refer to this feature for more details and new legislative bathroom design requirements.)
2. Adaptability: Creating homes that can be easily modified to meet the changing needs of residents over time is purposeful, practical and potentially profitable. Designing flexible spaces that can be repurposed or adapted as needed offers value to the existing residents or future homeowners.
3. Universal Design: Are your kitchens and bathrooms usable by everyone, regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability? Consider incorporating adjustable-height benchtops and lever handles on doors as a minimum, and ensure your traffic flows within and around the space are unobstructed.
4. Comfort and Health: A great livable design results in comfortable environments that promote physical and mental well-being. Ensure your design and specifications allow for appropriate ventilation, natural lighting, noise control, and the use of non-toxic building materials.
5. Safety and Security: Can you implement features that enhance the safety and security of your clients? Be particularly mindful of your lighting design - consider the adequacy of illumination (is the lighting bright enough?) and the use of sensor lighting.
6. Sustainability: Are your designs as energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible? Have you specified sustainable materials, minimised waste, and incorporated green building practices to reduce the home's environmental footprint?
7. Community Integration: Design that fosters a sense of community and social interaction can add immense value to a family home. Ensure your designs include shared spaces and communal areas that encourage inhabitants to engage with one another.

By focusing on these livable housing principles, you'll create homes that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also enhance the overall quality of life for their occupants.