Accessibility
Project overview
Projects like this have numerous design constraints due to having a restricted area to work with. However, we have the experience to make sure everything works out.
The focus of this project is to provide appropriate accessibility to outdoor spaces for an elderly couple. Also, the homeowners are fond of the unique low-height front railing. Other designers might unknowingly discard it. The key, here, is understanding the building codes in order to accommodate accessibility routes while retaining original design elements.
We expanded the front porch so that a wheelchair could have access the porch in the future. And although shorter than contemporary guardrails, by introducing a planter and reducing the drop height from the porch level, we were able to retain the original railing. For access routes, a low-riser stairway accesses the driveway and a barrier-free ramp system accesses the front yard. Detaching the all-too-skinny entry sidewalk from the driveway, this new front yard walkway doubles as a more formal approach to the house.
The focus of this project is to provide appropriate accessibility to outdoor spaces for an elderly couple. Also, the homeowners are fond of the unique low-height front railing. Other designers might unknowingly discard it. The key, here, is understanding the building codes in order to accommodate accessibility routes while retaining original design elements.
We expanded the front porch so that a wheelchair could have access the porch in the future. And although shorter than contemporary guardrails, by introducing a planter and reducing the drop height from the porch level, we were able to retain the original railing. For access routes, a low-riser stairway accesses the driveway and a barrier-free ramp system accesses the front yard. Detaching the all-too-skinny entry sidewalk from the driveway, this new front yard walkway doubles as a more formal approach to the house.
Clients
Residential
Locations
Madison, WI
Prairie style house conceived with key features of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. The main entrance is hidden and sheltered, along with cascading stone piers and reflecting pool. The light monitor along the top roof ridge bathes interiors with natural light. An open plan transitions into spaces dedicated for dining, kitchen and living room while sleeping rooms double as study rooms, and bathrooms are places for rejuvenation.
