UNIVERSAL DESIGN
shower is curbless and fully accessible. The couple considered installing glass partition walls but decided that a curtain and rod would provide the most flexibility.
sink in the master bathroom is lower and cantilevered so full access. The bathroom cabinets (not shown) pull out for easy access from the sides.
bedroom large enough to enable s turnaround space on both sides of bed
bathrooms are spacious, and the sinks are cantilevered for full wheelchair access. The extra-wide space also features sliding doors for clearance and space efficiency.
upper cabinets are lower than usual so Ferris can reach the two lower shelves. The toe kicks are 9 inches high, allowing for a 60-inch turnaround clearance so Ferris can move freely around the kitchen without any backing in and out. Standard toe kicks are 4-5 inches high. DiRe came up with the innovative gate that slides behind the cabinetry when the couple's dog, Sadie, has access to the kitchen. The floors are Marmoleum.
practical pullout cutting boards. While useful, they can also get in the way when both of them are cooking and vying for space. The area under the sink is open so Ferris can do dishes facing forward instead of sideways. The windowsill was also lowered so he can enjoy the outside scenery.
low concrete ramp wall blends into and is hidden by lush plantings. Mary Kay Swanson and Niko Stoll of Box of Rain Landscape designed the front landscaping.
concrete ramp that blends into the landscaping, resembling low terrace walls. The extra width of the upper leg allows for a small front porch.
Modern Pulls by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLabSaveEmail Modern Pull - $16.50 One more thing to keep in mind: select pulls over knobs. Pulls allow any user the ability to open the door without having to grasp a small knob — something that's difficult to do for those with arthritic hands or dexterity issues.
attractive durable flooring
bathroom floors are heated using a Nuheat radiant floor-heating mat and a programmable thermostat.
curbless shower with a trench drain makes the zero-threshold bathroom and shower area safer; the homeowners don't have to step over a threshold or risk tripping over a sill.
Integrate the design with the rest of the space. Because there's no concrete border between an open shower and its surroundings, choose materials that will create a smooth transition. The wall tile in this bath continues seamlessly into the shower, with only a change in ceiling materials to provide a visual stopping point.
Outfit your bath with surfaces that hold their own against moisture: porcelain or glass tile, metal, stone, solid surfacing, engineered quartz and some woods. Avoid fabrics and other materials that are prone to mildew.
Ensure proper drainage. Not only will you guard against damage from standing water, but you'll also protect yourself from skidding on wet floors. Angle the shower floor slightly so that water flows toward the drain, and think about adding a second drain for doubly effective siphoning
Choose an appropriate showerhead. Unless you have a very large buffer zone, a standard showerhead that angles outward can end up soaking your space. Opt for a rain-style model, which casts water straight down, or a handheld type that allows you to control the position and flow. If you do use a more conventional model, mount it so that the spray hits an opposite wall rather than the shower opening.
built by By Design Builders, which specified an LED drain light so the client can keep his or her bearings when the shower steams up. If you suffer from a vision impairment, consider one of these LED light kits and linear shower drains.
NOTE: different heights of granite counter & tabletop. "Not all wheelchair users have same needs- different arm-reach lengths & different torso heights. Cooktop placement lack undersurface knee space, HOWEVER "If we got rid of the drawers and allowed for knee space, we would increase the chances of spilling hot, often boiling water onto someone's lap. Side approach to cooktop just works out better. Low-profile grill top lets person see into pot as much as height permits
At first glance you might miss the universal design features of the open kitchen. But look closer and you'll see how the pedestal table allows for maximum knee space and seating configurations.
Universal design purists may take issue with the detached wooden stool in the shower, but Sundstrom points out that although Karen uses a wheelchair, she is not entirely wheelchair bound. "The stool, grab bar and control placement work for her specifications.
"I love how the countertop is on exactly the same level in the master bath. Karen was the one who came in and did much of the fine-tuning — she knows best what she and her husband and daughter need in the home," says Sundstrom. David's vessel sink works for his standing height, and Karen's semirecessed sink works for her seated height.
Curbless transitions make going into the exterior living spaces and bathroom easy.
Wide pulls and accessible drawers provide loads of storage for the entire family, and ...
A side-opening oven door mounted at just the right height makes it easier to reach in (and pull things out of) the oven. Cooks can put hot plates and pots on a lowered countertop directly across from the oven. Notice the faucet on the side of the sink and how the sink is designed to be as deep as possible while leaving enough knee space underneath.
“Concrete or stamped concrete also offers good contact for wheelchairs and walkers. It can be less expensive than traditional flagstone and can be colored to complement your exterior colors. Stamped
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