I have not seen architect Ron Wickman 's project but if it can be described with the headline, "Signs of accessibility are subtle, lost in the style" then I am satisfied that it was a success. And it's sustainble because it will work throughout the lifespan of the owner.
He gets it. We want style not sterility in barrier-free environments.
It is the subtle details in his home that architect Ron Wickman likes to talk about -- the lowered light switches, raised electrical outlets, sloping walkway to his front door and wide, bright hallways.Those unobtrusive features make his stylish and attractive house a "universal" design, meaning it is accessible to disabled people and flexible in its uses.
His focus was on accessibility and sustainability. So, in addition to the wider doorways and lowered door handles, the house is oriented toward the sun, its long, south wall filled with windows... He sees that flexible, universal design as a good fit with his other area of interest, sustainability. "Universal design is about sustainability. If I design a house that you don't have to modify in the future, then haven't I done something that's really sustainable."
For the full article:
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=3c208fc5-e7a7-4436-9a70-13b9dde6467b
Posted by rollingrains at April 11, 2008 08:28 PM