It is all too easy to look at accessibility from just the technical angle, as a list of requirements to manage instead of a philosophy worth embracing. As an architect, it’s my job to stay ahead of those requirements, but people are my priority, and I take pride in creating places that empower people to live freely. Rather than a requirement, accessibility is an essential piece of the puzzle, and a knowledgeable design team can translate technicalities into a set of drawings that keeps all consultants on the same page, steering us clear of the nightmare scenarios we all encounter at one time or another. You know the kind: all huddled around a tiled bathroom corner, the cold seeping through half-finished walls, facing the tough choice to tear out finished work to make room for door clearance. Changing how you look at accessibility and partnering with an experienced design team is the proactive first step for realizing a built residential space that is accessible, valuable and constructable.
Creating a building intended to be used by people of all ages and abilities adds value to the community by appealing to a wide range of users, and in the initial excitement of designing new and exciting features it is easy to overlook accessibility. Universal design is the practice of designing environments to be usable by as many people as possible, regardless of age or ability. This approach helps inform the decision process and makes accessible design more natural and integrated. Imagine who will live in the building, what drives them and how they engage with the world for recreation, social interaction and work. Thinking about the needs of a person who might need accommodation can add value to the community and make sure it appeals to a wider range of users.
A prospective resident looking for a new home may visit a leasing office and leave with a negative impression if they are not able to move from a parking space through the entry and beyond to use the restroom. A future resident of a dwelling may be in excellent health when selecting a new place to live, only to later suffer an injury, finding their new home suddenly full of obstacles. They or a family member may be entering the “golden years’’ and looking ahead to a time when they might have mobility challenges. After all, any one of us is only a few degrees away from needing accessibility accommodations. Planning for the property or building to have a degree of flexibility for people with varying abilities can start to mitigate these difficulties.
At Iota Fox Station, an elongated building entrance accommodated the required ramp while simultaneously creating an iconic moment along the street. | Tim Gormley
Universal design should inform and enhance the design instead of being an afterthought. With knowledge and early integration, we can minimize costly rework. Design that seamlessly weaves accessible requirements into unit layouts makes for efficient flow through the rhythm of everyday life. Good design that provides required reach ranges in a kitchen and clearances in a bath can be the difference between a residence feeling comfortable or awkward. Moments like a sudden drop in a countertop run or an awkward door placement stand out and scream “accessibility was an afterthought.” A space that successfully integrates accessible features should feel effortless and comfortable.
A good design partner helps owners, builders and other consultants navigate local code and federal requirements. Knowing which local codes apply and advising on the best path toward complying can set the project on a steady course toward permit approvals and through the construction phase. Understanding state laws specific to Colorado and how federal housing mandates can be nuanced. If funding for affordable housing is in the mix, it can easily become a fog of rules and regulations that might appear to provide conflicting requirements. A robust internal quality assurance/quality control program is an excellent method for ensuring accessibility requirements are captured as the design progresses.
Knowing the code is a good first steps, but providing a little wiggle room for the construction process can go a long way toward setting the construction phase up for success. A field dimension falling even a quarter inch short may be an issue with a jurisdiction or third-party inspector. Building in a little extra space under cabinets where knee and toe clearances are required or knowing that refrigerators might need a little extra breathing room to allow for utility connections, when placed at an entry, can seem like trivial details, but can prove crucial during construction.
Even with generous and conscientious planning, occasionally projects experience construction headaches. Having a design partner on hand that can make modifications work with what is installed can be the difference between major rework and minor modifications. A firm knowledge of the local, state and federal requirements is important, but willingness to collaborate with the owners and contractors is critical to coping with construction phase snags. Building a design partnership that generates practical solutions to minimize rework and fosters collaboration with the construction team is key. Realizing the vision of a space that is accessible to a wide audience of people makes the technicalities worth it.
