apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

With the physical limitations that come with aging, Bruce Nelson and Carolyn Matthews wanted to prepare by outfitting their home with an accessible 700-square-foot dwelling with an open floor plan.

The studio includes amenities such as a motorized sink that raises and lowers at the touch of a button and pullout chopping boards that can accommodate a seated person. The bathroom lacks a curb for wheelchair access, and a built-in seat and grab bars help for accessibility.

Green Features:

The cottage is also earth-friendly, and includes rainwater harvesting, hydronic radiant floor heat and on-demand hot water. Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in two buried 3,000-gallon cisterns. The construction used SIPs (structural insulated panels) for both faster assembly, and built in insulation.

Features for Aging in Place:

• Taller toilet for easier transfer from wheelchair
• Adjustable heights for kitchen sink
• Barrier-free entries
• Casement windows with easy-to-use crank-style mechanisms
• Contrasting trim color on countertops for sight-impaired users
• Marv Bondarowicz/The OregonianCurb-free shower
• Elevated exterior landscape faucet
• Elevated refrigerator
• Front-loading washer, dryer and dishwasher
• Hand-held shower head with slide rail
• Lever handles on doors and faucets
• Doorways 32 inches wide
• Movable kitchen cabinets
• Open floor plan to allow for wheelchair entry and turning
• Open space under kitchen and bathroom sinks as well as slide-out cutting boards to accommodate a seated person
• Pocket door to bathroom
• Reinforced grab bars in bathroom
• Slide-out kitchen drawers instead of hard-to-reach cupboards
• Wall electrical plugs at least 15 inches above floor

See the rest of the article at Oregon Live.