A New Competitive Edge in ADA Housing: Universal Design Features that are Aesthetically Pleasing

Universal Design — defined as the art of building homes to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of age, ability or physical stature — is being embraced by an increasing number of architects, professors and real estate developers in belief that this style is the wave of the future for ADA building compliance.

“Universal Design is a growing trend and a good one,” says Laurence Weinstein, a 40-year veteran architect, developer, and founder of Shared Solutions America — a non-profit organization that advises architects, builders, and consumers on how to successfully apply the principles of Universal Design to ADA compliance. “It creates relatively inexpensive features that make dwellings more marketable, so it can yield a substantial competitive advantage.”

Highly tasteful options now exist that marry function with style, making Universal Design an attractive concept. Perhaps the most noteworthy ADA compliance choices are those affecting bathrooms and kitchens.

“The ground floor bathroom is an important space that can provide Universal Design functionality with highly attractive fixtures,” notes Weinstein. “In the bathroom one of the things that I advocate is a larger curbless shower, which allows access by a wheelchair or walker. A Universal Design home that I designed for our AARP 2004 National Event had a 48 x 60-in curbless shower made by Best Bath systems.”

Best Bath Systems (www.best-bath.com), a Boise, Idaho-based manufacturer of high-end bath and shower systems, is one of a growing number of companies to have embraced the concept of universal design. For example, the plywood blocking on all the shower walls allows the flexibility to mount grab bars exactly where the individual needs them. Yet, to make the bathing unit look less institutional, while still being in ADA compliance, the company offers three distinct finishes, all having the appearance of genuine ceramic tile, but the ease-of-maintenance of a polyester Gelcoat finish. A choice of multiple colors in a single unit adds to the attractiveness of the unit.

“Best Bath has really embraced the concept of Universal Design and has developed a broad line with tasteful tile designs and attractive safety fixtures such as a neoprene water dam that depresses as you roll over it and it pops right back up,” adds Weinstein. “Also, the shower walls have blocking behind on all three walls of a shower, so that if somebody doesn’t want grab bars now, but needs them later on, they can be installed easily and provide the needed 250-lb. load capacity.”

Kitchens are another vital area for convenient and safe access that can benefit everyone.

“The Universal Design featured show home for the AARP 2002 National Event featured a dishwasher that was raised 12 inches off the floor so that the resident didn’t have to bend down to load and unload the dishwasher,” observes Weinstein. “We’re incorporating that feature into homes we’re helping design for major developers and national home builders such as Genesis/Champion Homes.”

Given the ease of installation, reliability, and attractiveness of today’s modular bath and shower units, builders can turn the advent of universal design to their advantage for ADA requirements.
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For more information:
Jeff Mooney
Best Bath Systems
4545 Enterprise, Boise, Idaho 83705
Phone (800) 727-9907
Fax (800) 627-0929
E-mail: sales@best-bath.com
Visit the web site www.best-bath.com