ACCESSIBLE DESIGN
A home design concept originally borne to serve the needs of war veterans with disabilities is enjoying a new popularity as it is revived to serve the needs of the baby boomer generation. Universal design, sometimes called barrier-free design, accommodates the needs of different people with different abilities and skills. Homes constructed using universal design concepts allow all people who use the home to do so more easily and independently, including children, adults, and the elderly. Much of accessible design is in the details – a shelf or bench beside the main entrance to set down groceries while you unlock the door; lever handles to more easily open the door; a wider door frame and hallway to more easily move in and out; no-step entry into the main floor of the house, which is designed to accommodate one-story living with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom all on one floor. Obviously these design elements are particularly important for the elderly or disabled persons in a wheelchair, but even the healthy mother of three understands and appreciates the convenience of a main floor laundry. It is a smarter way of building, and it makes your home a more comfortable and relaxing place to live, work and play.

ADAPTABLE HOUSING
So, you spend countless hours designing the absolute perfect home that meets all your imaginable needs. But what about your needs 5, 10, or 25 years from now? Can your home meet those needs as well? Consider the life cycle of a typical family – young professionals buy their first home; a baby comes along, then another; young children become teenagers; teenagers grow up and leave home; and finally you’re left with the chance to pursue your hobbies after retirement. The needs of the growing family change over time, and with the proper planning and design, so too can the floor plan of your home. A first-time homebuyer and young family may benefit with a basement rental suite to help pay down the mortgage; divide a large bedroom into smaller rooms for the kids; turn attic space into a master bedroom; add-on the attached garage/workshop you couldn’t afford during the initial build; absorb the rental suite into the main house when the kids get older, and then convert it back after they leave home, using the extra income to travel to warmer destinations. These concepts are a part of a design philosophy known as Flex Housing™, and not only will it increase the usefulness of your home as your family grows, but it will also increase the value of your home to a wider market should you ever decide to sell.