 Though the title may seem a bit redundant, having an accessible home is a good investment as well as good for the Earth. What exactly is an accessible home? It is a home that is built and designed to accommodate the occupants in all phases of life. The book Universal Home discusses this very topic. "Universal Home" is about creating a living space which accommodates all stages of life. This is an increasingly relevant topic with the biggest generation ever, the baby-boomers. Thus, a "Universal Home" will provide living space for the first wobbly steps of a toddler, the trend conscious lifestyle of a single homeowner, as well as the later life requirements of an older couple.
In a one year research and development project ten young designers and architects will develop possible solutions for the design of a living space that grows with its inhabitants, is flexible, and adapts to the changing phases of life. The American Association for Retired Persons, AARP, is a major advocate of the study. The goal is to help seniors live safely in their own homes and also to help them save money in their retirement years. Non seniors are also becoming fans of this movement. Homebuilders have taken notice, and are designing new award winning homes to address the new demand.
Planning ahead is the key to successful new home construction. There is a wealth of information online concerning new house plans that address different life-stages, and how that affects the design of the home.
When the average person builds a home, they generally do so taking a fairly long-term view. Most people these days buy their first home in their late twenties to early thirties, usually when they decide that the time has come to start a family. If all things fall into place according to life's plan, this could be their family home for twenty-five to thirty years or more. Some people even live in the same home all their married lives. Apart from the sentimental aspects, the practical aspects of the home's design can play a vital role.
There are great resources available for accessible home ideas. It is increasingly important for potential new home buyers to take advantage of the vast amount of Universal Design resources available online when shopping for your new house plan. You want your new home to be accessible at all ages so that it is much less resource intensive than having to upgrade, remodel or buy another home to accommodate the changes in your lifestyle.
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