Universal design solutions focus on safety, lighting and utility

Sun., Oct. 10, 2004

David Bauer Spokane Home Builders Association

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms to design correctly in the house in order to allow homeowners to “age in place” — and not have to move. Falls in the bathroom or on the stairs are the second leading cause of accidents for seniors, just behind automobile accidents.

“This is where the day begins and ends. It absolutely has to function properly,” said architect Kim Beasley, of the Beasley Architectural Group in Alexandria,Va. Beasley, a member of the National Association of Home Builders and an architect who focuses on accessibility and universal design, came to the home building industry from a background in medical care. He also co-wrote a textbook about accessible home design for the wheelchair user and one about accessible design for the hospitality industry.

Limit Step-Overs in the Bathroom

In older homes, the bathtub/shower combination is the most difficult and dangerous part of the bathroom in which to maneuver. Those lucky enough to have a toilet adjacent to the tub can lower the lid and use that to transfer into the tub. However, homeowners still have to worry about banging into the plumbing when getting in — especially when there is one-wall plumbing.

It wasn’t always like this. Many upscale properties at the turn of the last century were elegantly equipped with bathroom grab bars. That changed with the post-World War II housing boom.

Today, many homeowners seeking universal design features in their homes are looking for larger bathrooms for their renovations or new homes. Popular design features include separate tubs and showers with tub surrounds or ledges to sit on when getting into their tubs.

Strategically placed grab bars are making their way back into bathrooms. Some are disguised as towel bars. Others are decorative. At least one manufacturer offers them in about 30 colors to match tiles, fixtures and paint.

Stairway Lighting Important

Because stairway falls are a leading cause of home injuries, proper stairway lighting is very important. With seniors, lighting is critical. Most homes are not well lighted because homeowners were expected to bring in their own lighting. That’s changing. Architects are adding more recessed lighting, decorative lighting and more lighting in general.

Contact the Spokane Home Builders Association at (509) 532-4990 to learn about professional contractors in our area who have received CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) designation from the National Association of Home Builders. They can assist you in creating a safe environment in your home.

Thanks to All Who Visited the Showcase of Homes!

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the thousands of visitors who toured the beautiful homes in this year’s Showcase of Homes at River Bluff Ranch. This much-anticipated community event, now celebrating its 54th year, was brought to you by sponsors Action Mortgage, Windermere, and Wendle Motors. We invite you to learn more about the beautiful River Bluff Ranch neighborhood by visiting its Web site at www.riverbluffranch.com.

For a private tour, contact Rick Roening, Windermere, at (509) 990-6391. Your support of our event has a lasting and positive impact on our community, with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross and the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders. Thanks, and we sincerely hope you enjoyed the tour!

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