A Welcome Home

A vivid and powerful memory from my childhood is of my grandmother, who was wheelchair bound, visiting our home in the 70s, well before the American Disabilities Act was in place. Because her wheelchair didn’t fit anywhere, and because of our stairs, my grandpa or my dad had to carry her everywhere – into our house, into restaurants, into the bathroom. 

Me with my grandma and mom

She was sweet, joking about being a bride being carried over the threshold, but she must’ve felt humiliated at times. Now as my parents age, their home is becoming a more difficult place for them to live. I’m sure this is true for most of their fellow baby boomers.

In my last blog, Master Planning, Dreaming Prudently, I wrote about how careful detailing of construction and repairs is a top priority when considering the sustainability of a home, and how thoughtful design for current and future needs is critical to efficient building and decision-making throughout the years. High-performance, quality design and construction helps to assure that the building will remain useful and vital and will not be demolished to become landfill.

To really meet this goal of the viability of a home for generations, the design of a renovation or new home should also include planning for future changes in the family structure, or changing abilities of family members. Universal Design is the design of buildings for all people, regardless of age or abilities. Universal Design can be followed exhaustively or minimally, depending on the objective. At minimum, it makes sense that every home, when possible, has an entry that is at ground level, and a bathroom on the first floor that is accessible or could easily be made accessible.

With these features in their home, the owners are able to stay if their or their family members’ abilities change, with some minor changes to create a first floor bedroom if one doesn’t exist. Their home is also welcoming for older and less-able guests.

Some welcoming folks at a non-greenbridge designed home

AARP, a leading advocate for universal design, lists five common features of the concept on its web site:

No-step entry: No one has to use the stairs to enter the home

One-story living: Places to eat, bathe and sleep are all on one level

Wide doorways: Doorway design takes into account the width of wheelchairs and walkers

Wide hallways: Hallways are wide enough for easy access between rooms

Extra floor space: Open floor space allows for extra comfort and mobility

With care, the concept of Universal Design can be seamlessly integrated into a homes’ design.  In this design for a Newburyport family, the addition included an entry at ground level and wide doors and access to a first floor three-quarter bath.

For more information, please visit the AARP website or the American Institute of Architects Universal Design Resources or as always, feel free to contact me with any questions or to discuss further.  juli@greenbridgearchitects.com

With best wishes,

Juli

Design-Build – Autumn and Winter planning

As we head into the holidays, a lot of us start planning for next year’s home renovations.  Options for making changes to your home include working directly with an architect or designer, hiring a builder for those smaller projects that don’t require design or drawings, or a Design-Build option.  Design-Build is a term you’ve probably heard before, but may not be clear on  exactly what it means.  The Design-Build process combines the work of architectural design and construction, with one company having oversight over the entire project. The benefits include one-stop shopping, attention to the budget from the initial phases of design, and reduced project schedule.

I have always been an advocate of the process because of the benefits  it gives the homeowner and the design-build team.  Now with GreenBridge’s partnership with Riverview Builders, we are able to offer Design-Build services to our clients.  We want to get the word out on why your choosing this process with GreenBridge/Riverview makes great sense for your home.

 

Riverview Builders’ complete exterior restoration project of a home in Sudbury nears completion

A Team Committed to You

As architects, we work closely with you as we develop the design to include your dreams and vision while taking great care to understand and incorporate your home’s existing style and attributes. As builders, we bring superior project management, client-centered responsiveness and technical ability throughout the project, from early cost-estimation through your move-in date.

Throughout the project we will be your single contact. We will handle design and design revisions, project feedback, budgeting, permitting, construction issues, change orders, and billing. Dealing with only one entity simplifies your responsibilities, improves communication and gives you peace of mind – allowing you to enjoy the transformation of your home.

Constructability/Efficiency

We are dedicated to constantly educating ourselves on both the most current and traditional methods of design and construction. We are committed to sustainability in our projects and make use of natural passive methods of design as well as the practical application of new technologies and materials. Inherent in the design/build process is early involvement of the builder during design. Including the builder’s knowledge early into design fosters creative, cost-effective, and practical design and construction solutions.

Establish and Reduce Cost

A design-build model allows us to establish and agree to a fixed construction cost and scope of work early on in the project. Early knowledge of construction costs help us to design the project that you want that fits in your stated budget. As the design-builder, we have control over the design, scope and budget, so we give you clear cost and schedule adjustments for any changes you consider or make during the project.

Establish and Reduce Schedule

A design-build model also allows us to establish and agree to a fixed schedule of work early on in the project. An integrated design and building entity eliminates time otherwise required for the contractor and designer to coordinate their efforts and understanding of the project. In addition, the design-build process reduces the construction schedule because it allows us to work on several facets of your project at the same time. For instance, while the building permit is being approved, we can be working on the interior design and assisting you to pick out doors, windows, and appliances. We are also able to anticipate and order items with long lead-times.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.  Have a wonderful and flavor-filled Thanksgiving!!! – Juli

juli@greenbridgearchitects.com

What Your House Really Needs

Do you have shoes, backpacks, gloves and coats piled on the floor next to the door?  Does your bedroom have a big blank wall with a little IKEA or Target shelving unit?  Are your books in boxes in the attic or in precarious piles next to your bed?

In my experience, built-in cabinetry ranks as a top ingredient in making a house a home (right after paint).  This month, Steven, my husband and the backbone of GreenBridge’s partner company Riverview Builders, built and installed a built-in bench in our mudroom.

We’ve been dreaming of this since we moved in, seven years ago. (!)  It has absolutely changed our lives.  Our two boys  are not patient, organized or neat, to put it mildly.  So, the bench was carefully designed with storage options, interest and organization in mind, all with the goal of getting them to use it!  The bench has hooks (easy and within-reach), a lift-top bench (fun, with safety hinges to save little fingers) and is divided so each of us has our own area.  Overflow is anticipated with high shelves and baskets for each person.  I still have to remind them to use the storage, but now items have someplace to go…..

This shelving unit is on a large master bedroom wall.  This built-in has adjustable shelving that will be removed when our clients purchase their big-screen TV, a small desk area for the mom of the house’s few quiet times and lots of storage for their books and decorative items.  This formerly blank wall was transformed and now reflects our client’s personality and interests.

This cabinetry is built around the twin bed platform and gives a cozy feeling to the sleeping and reading space.  Book and toy storage is easily accommodated in the shelves, and the closed cabinets below allow for more messy storage – drawing materials, Legos, and train equipment…. The built-in is also sometimes used as a climbing apparatus, and so far, has held up.

With Riverview Builders, we can provide affordable solutions for your home from initial meeting and design to the painted finish.  If you’d like to talk about possibilities, contact us at www.greenbridgearchitects.com and we can help with some options and estimates.

Stay tuned for our upcoming library (man-cave) project!