Universal Design

Baby boomers nationwide might not know the lingo, but in practice and principle they’re the biggest proponents Universal Design has ever seen.

Barrier-free mandates first appeared in the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and sent architects scrambling to ensure handicapped access to all federal buildings. Planning for new construction was one thing. Renovating 200-year-old landmarks was entirely another. Sentiments in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s might best be summed up by writer Dorothy Parker’s quip upon answering her phone, "What fresh Hell is this?”

What a difference a few decades make. As Baby Boomers begin caring for aging parents, college kids returning home for break and grandchildren, they realize that downsizing isn’t an option, but the stairs in their ‘70s split level aren’t getting any easier. Further, as the cost of retirement communities increases, Boomers are also embracing the concept of Aging in Place. It means we’re staying put until we’re carried out “feet first.” Until then, we’ll be installing a boardwalk over the terraced stone steps, a master bedroom on the ground level, and maybe even an elevator in the beach house.

Aging in Place

In response to the demand for modifications, the Remodelors Council of the National Association of Home Builders and the American Association of Retired Persons came up with an ever-growing list of modifications and a means of educating the public – the Certified Aging in Place (CAD) program. Raleigh remodeler Harold Glazer, who says his clients were already asking for the modifications, is one of 800 CAP specialists in the country.

Glazer, president of H. Glazer Builder, Inc. which was founded in 1978, estimates he will reach $2 million in revenues this year. More than half of his projects will incorporate universal design principles and will do it in such a way that no one would mistake them for the sterile handicapped-accessible features of yester-year.

Here’s just one example. When Glazer installs wooden stairs, he uses a different wood or stain for the step and nosing, and on the landing. “It looks like an inlay,” he says, “and people say they want that.” But, the difference in colors is a visual clue that the next level is coming, and it replaces the old yellow and black diagonal striped tape.

“The largest growing segment of the population is over the age of 75,” Glazer says. “In our business, we are seeing a very large percentage of people who’ve been living in their houses 25 or 30 years. They like the location. They like the neighborhood. They’re not elderly, but they’re senior. They need a few modifications now and they need to do a little planning for the future.” That’s where a CAP specialist comes in. “It really doesn’t cost a whole lot more money to adapt these houses,” Glazer said. And, when a bathroom wall is being retiled, a $5 investment can save $1,000 down the road. Case in point, blocking the bathroom wall for a grab bar to be installed later means placing a 2 x 10 piece of lumber in the wall at a height of 34 inches, Glazer says. “That might cost $5, but, if it were done later, the entire wall would have to be removed.” Glazer makes modifications such as this, photographs the components and provides the client with a CD.

Universal Design

A design element or fixture meets the definition if it simply makes a home more usable for kids, parents with strollers, short people, someone who’s had surgery, the elderly and those with mobility problems. 

Here’s an example of a design principle at work. A trend in kitchen planning was to place the microwave above the range; many even come with exhaust fans and task lighting for this reason. Children, short adults and those with mobility problems may have a difficult or dangerous time using the appliance. The application of universal design would relocate the microwave to below-counter level.

Peggy Mackowski has both personal and professional experience with Universal Design. As vice president of Quality Design & Construction and a CAP specialist, Mackowski applies the principals daily in her work. As someone who had knee problems, she got a painful firsthand lesson in what doesn’t work when you do not have a good leg to stand on.

The company’s biggest universal design project to date is a home for a woman who cared for an aging parent and wanted to live in her home for life. The remodeled home has no steps at the front entrance, no hallways; it does have pocket or 3-foot doors, and parking under the deck. This is where the homeowner unloads her groceries and sends them up to the kitchen via the elevator, Mackowski says. She then takes the stairs for the exercise. “Universal just means for everybody,” she says. “Houses for living, homes for life.”

Initial Resistance

Boomers are old enough to remember some of the odd and ugly early attempts that gave barrier-free design a bad name. At the same time, they don’t see themselves as old and have trouble imagining the day they will need a grab bar in a bathroom. So, how do you suggest universal design features to a Boomer?

Very carefully, says Glenn White, president of Complete Construction in Raleigh. “Many clients want to do a first-floor master suite. They’re in their mid-50s and it would just be more convenient. But when I sit down to suggest other modifications, they say, ‘Hey we’re not handicapped. We’re not that old.’ I have to explain to them that it’s not a handicapped issue anymore. You don’t have to be handicapped to hate bending over to perform a task.”

A simple thing such as raising an electrical outlet to a height of 15 inches just makes everyday life simpler, White says. “We have a 25-item checklist of changes to make kitchens more ergonomic.” When he founded his company in 1983, White says no one thought to install a curb-less shower unless a client was in a wheelchair. Now, such a shower can be part of a sleek bathroom remodel, and no one would be the wiser.  With a handheld shower and a seat, it’s a perfect place to shave your legs. What woman, young or old, wouldn’t appreciate that?

Universal & Adaptable Design Applications

Early signs that initial resistance had been overcome came in subtle waves. One was the fact that handicapped accessible rooms in hotels were often booked up, and not by the handicapped. The handrails in the bathroom made people with mobility problems feel more secure and the walk-in shower was a lot easier to move into rather than having to step into.

“It was safer. That’s been the driving factor behind the modifications,” Glazer says, and many of the changes “don’t cost a dollar more” to do, and may in fact, cost less if you plan ahead.For example, lighting is critical, Glazer says. Wiring a single switch in the bedroom to turn on the lights in the hall to the

bathroom at the same time is much safer than fumbling around in the middle of the night to find different switches or not

bothering and risking a fall.

Stacking closets one atop the other in a multi-story house is an example of planning ahead that can save thousands of dollars, Glazer says. “Somewhere down the line, if a homeowner needs and elevator, the builder doesn’t have to tear up rooms. You can find another location for a closet, but you already have an elevator shaft.” And, yes, more and more people are installing elevators in their homes and vacation homes, according to Jennifer Faulkner, vice president of R.E.A.L (Residential Elevators and Accessibility Lifts) Solutions, Inc. in Raleigh and North Topsail Beach. She echoed Glazer’s stacked closets tip and added that the closets can be wired during construction or a remodel, and the elevator installed at a later date if/when needed.

Elevators are not as expensive as you might think, Faulkner says. A two-floor hydraulic elevator costs about $16,000, three floors $17,500 and four floors $20,000. There is a new winding drum residential elevator in the works that will cost even less.

Residential elevators are really on the rise, Faulkner says. “When we started five years ago, we did 20 elevators that first year. This year we’ll do about 200.” Market research tells the company that they owe it to the Boomers, who want to stay in their homes. “Doing this allows them to stay another 10 years. When they do retire, they don’t retire. They start a second career, and they don’t want to move. They’re in no hurry to be old people.” “We used to live 18 months past retirement, now we live 20 or 30 years longer, so there’s a lot to look forward to,” Faulkner says. Boomers, particularly those with large tall beachfront getaways want to bring an elderly parent along, send up the groceries and the luggage, and be around for years to come so they can share it all with grandchildren.

Universal Design Destinations

Packaging universal design as a lifestyle also made it a bit more palatable. There are a couple of “age-specific” planned communities in the Raleigh area that did just that. Searstone is a not-for-profit, residential Life Care community and targets ages 62+. The development is in the early stages, but the property is paying close attention to the design of individual residences and public areas, vigilantly planning for adequate space to maneuver in kitchens and toilet rooms, door widths large enough to meet handicapped accessibility standards, and travel routes that accommodate wheelchair or amiga cart travel. While a limited number of units will be fully outfitted as handicapped accessible units, with grab bars at toilets and in showers, lowered countertops in the kitchen, etc., all of the units are intended to be convertible or adaptable in the future without moving walls. SearStone is open to the public and a model home is available for touring.

Carolina Preserve is restricted to age 55 “and better,” says Bob Kosco, vice president of Operations for Del Webb, who has closed on 150 of 1,200 planned homes. It’s not a retirement community and doesn’t look like one, but the homes incorporate universal design principles such as single-floor living with 34-inch doors, lever handle sets, low thresholds, and other features that make access easy for someone who is recuperating from surgery or may have some permanent mobility problems.

Otherwise, the development is advertised as an “active adult” community, Kosco says, and

people come here for the lifestyle.

Jane Shealy is a Freelance Writer

TIPS to make life easier now and later

Helping people live in their homes independently for as long as possible was the goal of the Remodelors Council of the National Association of Home Builders and the American Association of Retired Persons. Their collaboration resulted in a Certified Aging in Place (CAP) program to educate professionals in home

modifications that do just that. Here are some of the Universal Design criteria a CAP specialist might incorporate in your next home or remodel.

A good floor plan incorporates as much living space as possible on the main level with:

•  zero steps at an entrance

•  a ground-floor master bedroom and bath

•  32 inches of door way clearance (achieved with a 36-inch door or use of pocket doors or offset hinges)

Fixtures should be placed at comfortable heights and not require grasping:

•  install lever door handles and rocker or touch light switches

•  handles, switches, peep holes and thermostats should be no higher than 48 inches above the floor

•  raise electrical outlets to at least 15 inches

Vary the height of work surfaces and built-ins:

•  At least one kitchen counter should be at least 3 inches lower than normal

•  the same for wall cabinets, which can be fitted with

pull-down shelving

•  base cabinets should have drawers that pull all the way out

In the bathroom, a little planning goes a long way:

•  Walls should have handrails, be blocked for later installation or fitted with handrails disguised as towel bars

•  Install a curb-less shower at least 36 inches wide with a seat and locate controls there for a handheld shower

•  Put in a height-adjustable toilet or one that is 17 to 19

inches at the seat

Restricted movement doesn’t have to mean restricted access:

•  banisters should be located on both sides of a stairway

•  baby-stroller and wheelchair friendly ramps and boardwalks should slope no more than 1 inch for each foot of length

•  Closets stacked one atop another in a multi-story home are easily converted to an elevator shaft