Build/Remodel: Design
KEY DESIGN APPROACHES
Accessible, adaptable, universal and visitable... Each of these terms represents a set of guidelines for how to stretch conventional design so it benefits a larger segment of the population. The media and general public often mistakenly use these terms interchangeably. Although they share certain strategies and features, they’re distinct concepts that differ due to when they came into use, the people intended to benefit and the precise way they’re implemented.
It’s very important to understand the similarities and differences among the concepts when using their guidelines in home construction or remodeling. Click on Background on Accessible, Adaptable, Universal, and Visitable Design for an overview of each.
ACCESSIBLITY REMODELING, UNIVERSAL DESIGN GUIDES
MHFA HOME ACCESSIBILITY REMODELING SERIES
The Project director and a colleague (Harold Kiewel, AIA) prepared a home accessibility remodeling design guide the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) distributed for many years in a print version. MHFA converted the Series into an electronic version a few years ago, and the Agency is allowing the Project to relocate it to this website as a companion for the related materials found here.
While not a recent publication, the Series still contains useful background on home accessibility design principles, basic features and how they should be installed. To review each of its chapters, click on:
Chapter 1: Design and Contractor Guidelines [
PDF/3 Pages/72Kb]
Chapter 2: Movement [PDF/7 Pages/336Kb]
Chapter 3: Ramps [PDF/8 Pages/364Kb]
Chapter 4: Stairs [PDF/3 Pages/167Kb]
Chapter 5: Lifting Equipment [PDF/3 Pages/141Kb]
Chapter 6: Bathrooms [PDF/5 Pages/132Kb]
Chapter 7: Kitchens [PDF/6 Pages/205Kb]
Chapter 8: Grab Bars and Handrails [PDF/3 Pages/140Kb]
Chapter 9: Controls [PDF/2 Pages/60Kb]
Chapter 10: Readings [PDF/5 Pages/88Kb]
Click on MHFA Home Accessibility Remodeling Series [PDF/45 Pages/1.51Mb] to review all the chapters.
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO UNIVERSAL HOME DESIGN -
CONVENIENCE, EASE, AND LIVABILITY
The East Metro Seniors Agenda for Independent Living (SAIL, St. Paul, MN) produced a guide in 2002 on how to build or remodel homes using universal design principles. The Wilder Research Center (St. Paul, MN) directed its preparation, and the Project director provided technical input. Click on Practical Guide to Universal Home Design [PDF/19 Pages/365Kb] to review a copy of the booklet.
