Universal Design
What is universal design?
Common flaws in standard design
Standard design presents numerous challenges that universal design was created to overcome, with the most obvious being access to and from the home, or the everyday coming and going.
Thorpe said he's amazed at the unavailability of access to new homes being built today, with standard steps leading to only one point of entry. "The building industry, or more like your large tract home and semi-custom home builders, have yet to acknowledge the market they're ignoring," he explained. Many builders say they fear a stigma; they don't want their homes to look accessible. "But I find that a real shame, especially when universal design is openly out there for all to see and learn from," Thorpe said. Some builders try to pull off an aging-in-place model home with a wider hallway, a first-floor master suite and a few bathroom features, but still no access to the house other than the front steps, he noted, adding, "It must be very frustrating for the family with a physically challenged person who doesn't have that option."
Flood-zone codes are also changing, and some are already in place. This means that any property in a flood zone will have to abide by the new regulations, one of them being the first-floor height requirement. This will call for first-floor elevations to be higher than current code; even houses on slabs might then be a couple of steps high. Accessibility goes back to the design, Thorpe said. "There are very simple solutions that are not overly expensive or hard to implement. In fact, simple features should be showcased to demonstrate to thousands of people just how easy it is to provide access to new construction or remodel projects," he suggested. "Universal design features should be standard features not special features."
Thorpe said he's amazed at the unavailability of access to new homes being built today, with standard steps leading to only one point of entry. "The building industry, or more like your large tract home and semi-custom home builders, have yet to acknowledge the market they're ignoring," he explained. Many builders say they fear a stigma; they don't want their homes to look accessible. "But I find that a real shame, especially when universal design is openly out there for all to see and learn from," Thorpe said. Some builders try to pull off an aging-in-place model home with a wider hallway, a first-floor master suite and a few bathroom features, but still no access to the house other than the front steps, he noted, adding, "It must be very frustrating for the family with a physically challenged person who doesn't have that option."
Flood-zone codes are also changing, and some are already in place. This means that any property in a flood zone will have to abide by the new regulations, one of them being the first-floor height requirement. This will call for first-floor elevations to be higher than current code; even houses on slabs might then be a couple of steps high. Accessibility goes back to the design, Thorpe said. "There are very simple solutions that are not overly expensive or hard to implement. In fact, simple features should be showcased to demonstrate to thousands of people just how easy it is to provide access to new construction or remodel projects," he suggested. "Universal design features should be standard features not special features."
Integrating universal design at Thorpe Construction Co.
"When we talk about universal design, I like to think that we have been implementing many of these essential features for our clients all along, without having had an official name for it," Thorpe said when asked why he pursued the specialty. "UD is actually a viable tool for every project we're involved with, even if our clients don't understand," he said. "We incorporate our designs with UD's seven principals as much as possible, and once clients realize that the features won't make their new homes or renovation projects look 'institutional' or different, and they won't be drawing attention to themselves, they are more accepting and greatly appreciative."