Last post Wed, Mar 26 2008 10:36 PM by kriskringle. 17 replies.
This is something I prepared when writing a business plan for an entrepreneurship class a few years ago. It's on topic but may not be the most practical business idea considering the current housing/mortgage climate. We can always dream...
The average American home is over thirty years old and often its design presents challenges for even the most able-bodied individuals. Even though we are the most technologically advanced people in the world, we find that we are adapting to our ill-fitted environments rather than making our environments work for us. The housing stock in the United States is built to accommodate the average twenty-five year old, six-foot tall male. If this profile does not match your individual vital statistics you can correctly conclude that the bulk of this housing was not built to best accommodate you. In fact, this model group is but a minute segment of the entire population.
Many important demographic trends play into the scenario:
- Most people want to age in their homes, rather than institutionally
- The typical homeowner desires convenient, timesaving and efficient features in their homes that allow greater ease, comfort and security in their hectic lives.
- The average person can expect to experience a disability at some point in their lives
- Multigenerational family living is on the rise. Adult children are living at home longer.
These facts about our population and their implications regarding our current housing stock are causing a reevaluation of our built environment. This new standard in housing is gaining recognition that is building momentum daily. Universal Design is a movement which considers lifestyle changes and incorporates principles, features and concepts that allow individuals of all ages and abilities the opportunity to occupy a home that better supports their individual and ever-changing needs. These studies and others set the stage for home modification for this so-called "aging-in-place" demographic
Winston Churchill said, "First we shape our houses, then they shape us." If our houses are not built to promote ease, convenience, safety and our general welfare, shouldn’t they be? The flexibility, ease, comfort and security of a Universally Designed environment that seamlessly exhibits such beauty and logic makes us wonder why the obvious has evaded our world for so long.
Have you ever:
- Felt insecure not knowing who was at the door until it was opened?
- Noticed your or your child’s inability to reach far enough or deep enough to obtain the item they need?
- Had a cast on your leg? Had to use crutches? Had tennis elbow and were not able to function as well as you normally would?
- Tried to multi-task with a baby stroller and groceries in hand?
- Had limited mobility from recovery time after surgery?
- Not been able to bring a large piece of furniture into or through the house?
- Had steps or doorways keep someone you love from visiting you?
- Considered that, even if you deny it, one day age will catch up with you and, because your environment has not been planned to support you in later life, you may have to leave you home before you are ready?
People who use wheelchairs or walkers, or are impaired by stiffness, weakness or balance problems are blocked by steps at every entrance of a home. Wheelchair users are stopped by inches from fitting through the bathroom door in a friend or relative’s home. Basic access goes beyond visiting. It's also about the home of a person who develops a disability. Without basic access in place, architecture forces severe choices: the disruption and grief of moving out of one's community; expensive renovation – if the home is even amenable to renovation; or existing as a virtual prisoner in an unsafe, unhealthy house.
When it comes to our most important and most valuable investment, our home, there should be no short-changing.
Livinit Homes
Livinit Homes will initially focus our efforts on buying and developing existing properties. Once the properties are purchased, each unit will be redesigned using universal design principles. Open floor plans, extra wide doorways and halls will provide total access to all living areas. Whether it is strollers, grocery carts, wheelchairs, 330-pound football players or heavy furniture and equipment, all will move easily in a Livinit Home. State-of the-art specially chosen amenities will be located right where they are needed. Homes will be hard wired with intercoms, internet access, easy opening or electronic doors, and keyless entry when coming home. Safety measures will be implemented ensuring a cutting edge, safe environment. Livinit will also offer consultation and installation of modifications to customers current homes. This course of action will be initially pursued as a way to efficiently utilize capital and establish a reputation within the community. Future projects will include custom building and progress to planned communities.
Our staff will include Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) certified by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders, designating their training to design, build and market barrier-free living environments. Livinit Homes will establish strategic alliances and exclusive distributorships with suppliers of assistive technology equipment.
Livinit Homes will provide:
Today: Convenient, safe entry even when your arms are full of shopping bags or small children. No threshold trip hazard. Easy transport of luggage carriers, strollers and other cumbersome objects.
Tomorrow: Easy entry for family and friends who rely on crutches, walkers or wheelchairs for mobility.
Today: Pass freely around the main floor even when carrying bulky items such as laundry baskets. No more wrestling large furniture through narrow doorways or logjams when entertaining.
Tomorrow: Complete access to all the necessary living spaces on the main floor means independence for family members unable to fit through narrow spaces or climb stairs.
Today: Fewer trips up and down the stairs since the rooms you spend most of your time in are all on one level.
Tomorrow: Relatives or friends with mobility limitations are more comfortable visiting on holidays because they aren't excluded from the group. And as years pass, a self-contained main floor with accessible bathroom makes it possible for people who develop serious medical conditions to remain at home and retain their independence.
A Livinit Home is all about convenience! By grouping all the most essential living areas on a single floor with ample-sized doors and a step-free entry, the Livinit Home frees you from the hassles of struggling to move bulky furniture through narrow doors, or negotiating stairs with your arms full of groceries. Our inclusion of key features which make a home cost effective, accessible and convenient for everyone without sacrificing style or adding substantial construction costs, enhance both the initial and resale value of a Livinit Home. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has developed guidelines for FHA-backed "reverse" mortgages that allow aging homeowners to access their equity to help finance their retirement and keep them in their homes, including paying for remodeling projects.
America’s 70 million Baby Boomers have provided a boost to the construction industry at every step along their way through life — demanding new hospitals, schools, subdivisions and malls. With the front edge of this human wave slipping beyond middle age, Livinit Homes are getting ready for this next demographic tide.
Sweet dreams,
Bruce
That is a great dream! Wouldn't it be wonderful if Livinit Homes really existed?
It is a great dream and it's also one to come true. I'm in Nashville, TN. and working to accomplish universal design in new residential construction. I'm an interior design (focus on space planning) and a licensed general contractor with a certified aging in place designation (graduation from the program in September). It has been a huge struggle in many areas, but I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. It's a tiny light, but one day it will shine bright for many.Would love to have more conversation about this subject.
Take Care.
Kelly Costanza
Well, Ms. Costanza, we are practically neighbors, since I'm in Atlanta! How about that? It's a Small Web after all, so to speak (or sing).
Love the avatar! Is it supposed to represent one of those Whirling Dervishes, full of energy and change? The & looks like a Wheelchair! Very Cool!
Do you plan to build Universal Design homes in Georgia?
Your new Cyber-Friend,
Ginger
Hi Ginger. Very nice to meet you.
The swirl around the house represents "universal" inside and outside the home. On my website the swirl opens the door welcoming the homeowner. The ampersand came along through the ideas of the gentleman that helped me create the logo as well as the "I" that looks like a nail. MM&I is an acronym for me, myself, and i which is meant to represent "The Ability of Independence."
I do think I will be building in GA, but would gladly sell a plan to a builder in GA.
Thank you for the comments!
Thank you for the reply!
Good Afternoon, Kelly!
After perusing your website, I did an Internet search. I was pleased to see that your Universal Design Plans are also found online at www.AccessibleProperties.net -- Why didn't you say that anyone could purchase your Universal Design House Plans there?
Love the plans! The price is right, too! Now, if I only had some land... LOL
You GO, Girl!Ginger
Kelly, very nice. In the Berrydale where would an elevator go if desired. Just curious, as when we build I'm sure we'd go one level.
http://www.design101.tv/v2.0/PDFs/DesignBasicUniversalBerrydale2778.pdf
Click the link below to check out my Disaboom blog posts:
http://community.disaboom.com/tags/DISALIFE
Hi Bruce...this particular plan is not one I designed myself, but from the company Design Basics. I'm an authorized Dealer for Insulspan and they mainly deal with Design Basic floor plans for easy structural insulated panel designs for clients...long story...I had a client in Adams, TN that needed a few plans to go into his neighborhood he was developing and he was utilizing structural insulated panels...I tried to get them to build at least one universal designed home. That Berrydale is one of many plans I submitted to the client. They built the house, but the general contractor and the client said it would be too expensive to incorporate UD. Education is very needed!!! And even when you educate there are those that just do not get it.
Bruce, if you take a look at the garage...you can easily make adjustments to the design near the mech. area and make that space part of the house instead of the garage (or you can do both if you like with two doors) to provide appropriate clearance and exit the elevator into the bonus room above. The house functioned really well, only a few areas were of concern for me, but nothing that could not be tweaked.
Kelly
Sorry Ginger...anyone can purchase a floor plan and anyone can call for help with space planning, questions on universal design, etc., you can ask about structural insulated panels and insulated concrete forms....you get the idea. We try to help as best we can. I should have more plans on my site and on accessible properties soon.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the positive input. It goes a long way on a stressful day...thank you.
You're welcome, Kelly.
Kelly or BurnThisCube,
How is a link anchored on this site? A clickable link saying "Accessible Properties" should display.
<A href="http://www.accessibleproperties.net">AccessibleProperties.net</A>
It doesn't.
Thanks!
Ginger,
I think I found what your looking for, although this probably only works in blogs. I tried it below in this reply but no go.
Go to my disaboom, blog manager, manage content, manage snippets, create new snippet.
Thanks for asking, as I've just been copy and pasting links, which sometimes displays a simple title and other times displays the whole URL. I learn something new everyday.
http://community.disaboom.com/tags/DISALIFE pasted link
DISALIFE ridiculously large pasted link
[DISALIFE] non-functioning snippet
I'm glad you included someone else in on that question, because the air was whistling around my head on that one...I have no idea.
I just noticed something...Disaboom has a swirl too....hmmmm
Thanks a bunch Scott!! :)
