Alison Wright BIDA, FRSA, BA (Hons) Design Int.
Alison Wright is a respected interior designer in the field of ‘inclusive’ design. Her company Future Proof Home Ltd., developed under the Easy Living Home Concept, was established in 2000 (www.futureproofhome.co.uk), as the result of a research project which Alison undertook during her 7 years as a researcher with the internationally recognised Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, based at the Royal College of Art, London. The research project focussed on kitchen and bathroom design, working closely with older people and exploring how they were adapting their homes to suit their changing needs and abilities. The findings challenge stereotypical assumptions about home adaptation and have given Alison an in-depth understanding of the emerging marketplace of consumers aged 50+.

Alison’s work has been included by a number of keynote speakers at international conferences such as the Universal Design Conference Kyoto, Japan 2006, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Conference, 2006, Sydney, Australia and College of Therapists European Conference, Milan 2006. Alison has also presented her own work nationally and internationally (Ergonomics Society April 2006, ‘Include’ 2005, London, Include 2003, London, ‘Equal’, December 2002, Windsor, ‘Include’ March 2001, London, ‘OCTEP’ (Occupational Therapy for Elderly People), November 2001 and ‘Improving and Extending Independence for Older People’, Virginia, USA, December 1999). She is a visiting lecturer at Oxford Brooks, Kingston, Reading, Nottingham Trent, London South Bank Universities. Her work, including a regular monthly ‘Easy Living’ column for ‘Your Home & Garden Magazine’, has featured widely in mainstream press, interiors magazines and on BBC television.

Alison’s client base ranges from individual owners and corporate, to housing associations such as Habinteg Housing Association, for whom she has recently designed the kitchens and bathrooms of two Lifetime Homes at Westwood Park in Bradford (2006). Alison demonstrated to construction industry professionals, that interior design for the social sector can be both stylish and affordable. Alison has recently received two awards for the kbb Industry review Awards 2007 for these designs (the judging panel commenting ‘In an unprecedented move Alison Wright has been given both awards for her outstanding research in the area of ‘inclusive design’) and ‘Highly Commended’ in the FX International Interior Design Awards Nov 2006.

Other major clients include the bathroom product manufacturer, Ideal Standard. Alison’s design service is supported by her website www.futureproofhome.co.uk, which can be used as a home design tool with a comprehensive database of over 280 household products, selected for their inclusive design features according to ‘Future Proof’ criteria.