Homeowners typically look forward to hosting guests, and it’s important that a property is able to accommodate every guest comfortably and without any complications. Gelotte Hommas Architecture understands the importance of creating properties that are able to accommodate a wide range of both household residents and household guests.
Imbuing a home with features that make it accessible to everyone is the premise behind “universal design,” which means designing with the needs of all people in mind. If you have household members of many different ages, you may need to rely on universal design features every single day. However, even those with only occasional guests will appreciate universal design features.
Universal design features involve making a home accessible to everyone – young, old, and those who have a disability. This disability could be anything from a mobility issue to vision or hearing problems that make it difficult to navigate through a home.
The following are some of the major principles behind universal design in the home:
- Simplicity in the use of a home’s features
- Little physical effort required
- The size and space required for a home’s fixtures
- Ability of a home’s features to accommodate error
- Presentation of information in a home that is perceived by the senses
Architectural designers must consider many different aspects of a residential home design to fully incorporate universal accessibility into a property. They must pay special attention to accommodating wheelchairs, and this comes into play when figuring out the measurements for entry doors, hallways, doors between rooms, and more. Other considerations include grab bars in bathrooms; the height of sinks, cabinets, and mirrors; avoiding possible tripping hazards; and much more.
Contact us at Gelotte Hommas Architecture to learn more about designing for universal accessibility.