Universal Design Statement - Rathbun Residence

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RATHBUN RESIDENCERIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES AWARD WINNERSponsored by AARP and NAHB

INTRODUCTION

UNIVERSAL DESIGN is important because it accommodates everyone – Young, Old, Able & Disabled – and in this case, a wife that would be confined to a wheelchair, and a tall, able bodied husband (Dan & Wanda Rathbun). This project was especially important because we wanted to help Dan and Wanda realize a vision for their home that accommodated each of their specific needs. Both wanting comfort, convenience, accessibility and beauty. The Rathbun Residence was designed to incorporate all of this using Universal (Aging-in-Place), ADA and Green Design principles, creating a comfortable, luxurious and non-institutional environment.

A very special thanks go to all involved in the design and implementation of the Rathbun Residence:

DWAYNE CHEN – Partner/PurchasingLEAH SMITH-DONATH – Design Assistant

MAGDI REZKALLA – Builder/General ContractorRUSSELL “SKIP” HANSON – Electrical Contractor

DAN SHEPPARD – Landscape Contractor

DESIGN STATEMENT:1.Our goal for this project was to create a new Mastersuite which was functional, practical, beautiful & accessible to be shared simultaneously by one client that is 6’-2” tall and one client that would be confined to a wheelchair. 2.The project was designed and planned to meet the needs of a client that suddenly developed a condition which rendered her incapable of walking up and down stairs to go to her bedroom and bathroom. 3.The clients wanted simplicity, comfort, ease of use and beauty.4.The new space, which is an 800 s.f. building attached to the existing house, was achieved by raising the floor in the original Family Room, cutting and building a new entry foyer and double-door direct access from the Family Room to the newly added Mastersuite on the side of the home. The new building is also attached to the existing garage and grades out onto the new patio and accessible backyard.5.The new environment can be used easily by anyone of any age, height or mobility. It offers an open floor plan with archways, wide doorways and hallways that allow free and organic movement easily throughout all rooms within the space.

DESIGN STATEMENT (continued):6.Toilet automation, pre-programmable one-touch shower controls, sensor faucet and occupancy sensors provides ease of use for lack of mobility.7.The Mastersuite is divided up into several areas, which include the master bedroom, a wheelchair accessible work area, a doorless closet, a toilet room (or water closet), and vanity area. All of which lead very easily to other rooms in the house, the exterior, and direct garage access. 8.This new remodel allows the clients to travel from exterior to living room to kitchen to family room to new Mastersuite that has a walk-in, wheelchair accessible, curbless and doorless two-sided shower with seating (folding and fixed), automated shower system with adjustable shower bars and body sprays, Universal/ADA height sink/counter, two sink bowls (one with a sensor faucet), automated toilet that has automatic open and close seat, one-touch cleaning, drying and flushing. The toilet room also has a pedestal shampoo sink which has a molded basin for client to recline the wheelchair all the way back to wash hair; this sink is also for washing hands and is wheelchair accessible. The vanity area has tall mirror/medicine cabinets installed at a lower height for viewing by all and wheelchair accessible counters that are ADA height.

THE MAIN CHALLENGES:1.Were the height differences between the tall able-bodied husband and the wife that would ultimately be confined to a wheelchair.2.Making all of the new ground floor doorways and entries (from the interior to the exterior) threshold and “ramp” free and wheelchair accessible.3.Making both husband and wife happy by making the space functional for both, aesthetically pleasing and non-institutional.

SAFETY FEATURES:1.Slip resistant natural stone floor and mosaic tiles on shower floors; decorative grab bars through-out shower, toilet room and vanity; automated shower system as well as adjustable shower bars and body sprays; automated and water efficient toilet; spacious hallways and wide doorways; occupancy sensors for client with less mobility (also passes California Title 24), as well as easy use dimmer rocker style switches; lever handles on doors, sensor faucet and lever faucets; roll-in shower (no shower dam); fold down bench and built-in shower bench; ventilation fan with fluorescent light, heater and night light.

ENERGY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE FEATURES:1. A tankless water heater has been used to save on energy and to provide instant hot water

at all times.2. In each bathroom area, closet and work area, occupancy sensors, which shut “on” when

someone enters the area and “off” when they leave, have been installed for hands free lighting control and energy savings. “Rocker” dimmers have been installed in all rooms to assist in ease of use as well as save on energy.

3. Energy saving fluorescent ventilation.4. Reversible ceiling fan has been installed in the bedroom to conserve energy in the

summer and winter.5. Glass bricks were used inside the shower for ease of maintenance, to give privacy and let

in lots of natural daylight into the shower and bathroom.6. Sustainable materials selected for this project do not produce off-gases and allow for

good indoor air quality. They include, natural stone, wood flooring, and glass wall tiles and glass bricks.

7. Durable natural stones a sealed with a special sealers, that allow for maintenance-free showering where water beads off stone, resisting moisture buildup and inhibits growth of biological contaminants.

8. Wood cabinetry used is manufactured by company that is concerned about the environment and carries the Environment Stewardship Program Seal of Certification.

SHAMPOO SINK At home pedestal shampoo sink with spray hose and faucet with diverter, allows easy and convenient access to have a salon experience without leaving the house. Wheelchair accessible. Also used for washing hands.

LUTRON OCCUPANCY SENSORS Allows hands free lighting control—lights automatically go “on” when someone enters the room and “off” when leaving. Meets Title 24.

TOTO WASHLET Automatic, hands-free flushing system and a sensor-activated lid that automatically lifts as you approach the toilet and lowers as you walk away. The S400 offers the following features:

Auto Flush Activated by Sensors or the Simple Touch of a ButtonAutomatic Open / Close Lid Activated by Sensors, or the Simple Touch of a Button on the Remote ControlFront and Rear WashingMassage FeatureWarm Air Drying with Variable Three-Temperature SettingAutomatic Air PurifierHeated Seat with Temperature ControlConvenient Wireless Remote Control with Large LCD Panel

PANASONIC Offers energy saving Fluorescent lighting, while also offering comfortable heating and ventilation. Meets Title 24.

PRODUCTS – DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

KOHLER DTV The one-piece interface design allows the user convenient control of the menu-based navigation system. Offers one touch access to saved user experiences (custom or pre-configured).

Decorative grab bars Offer the convenience of a grab bar, plus the classic and fun design, not typical of most grab bars.

GROHE Adjustable shower bars allow flexible showering heights.

Glass Bricks let in plenty of natural daylight, is 100% recyclable, weather proof, scratch resistant and low maintenance.

ACCESSIBLE DESIGNS Fold up shower bench. Easy access to and from wheelchair.

KOHLER WATER TILE Bodysprays offers low profile, flush wall, fully adjustable, stimulating hydrotherapy shower experience.

MAC TOUCHLESS FAUCET Easy to use, with no handles or mixing valve to maneuver.

ROBERN M SERIES Medicine cabinet with decorative frame. Gives ample storage with deep recess cabinet for cosmetics, medication, etc. Tall mirrors, were installed close to the counter to accommodate both heights. Touch latches allow easier access, for convenient universal design. Also includes electrical outlets to stream line the look of the bathroom.

GROHE Seabury Faucet with lever handles for ease of use and offers 30% water savings.