HOUSING
FOR LIFE (ADAPTABLE HOUSING)
Housing
for life is good design for people of all ages. With a little thought
and planning, safety, security and flexible features can be
incorporated into most houses. Model houses have been including
renovated and a newly constructed houses. At first glance, both seem
no different to any other home. What does make them different is
their built in flexibility allowing for future adjustments,
modifications or alterations to be made with minimal disruption and
cost.
Each
home can be quickly and easily modified to suit anyone from a young
family to an older person. This gives residents greater choice
because it allows them to stay in their home for much longer and with
greater comfort and safety. While it is more economical to
incorporate these features in a new home, it is still a very
practical exercise to modify an existing home. Typical features in a
“house for life” are:
- window sills to
living rooms are a maximum of 730mm above floor level.
- open plan
living spa with wheelchair access around doorways.
- covered access
to entrance from the carpark.
- covered level
entry t dwelling with security screen
- covered access
to storage areas.
- covered car
parking space 6m long x 3.8m wide with 2.5m clear headheight.
- wider corridors
to allow wheelchair access.
- extend under
existing roof line for cost savings
- laundry design
to all wheelchair access.
- bathroom
fittings and layout to comply with AS1428
- backing support
for grabrails installed in walls.
- hobless (no
obstruction to step over) shower
- bathroom easily
adaptable to provide either one large room for wheelchair access or
separate rooms.
- kitchen design
to allow wheelchair access.
- slip resistant
floor finish
- alternative
kitchen bench heights.
- large handles
on cupboard doors.
- side control to
cooktop
- pull out pantry
for easy access
- all doorways
configured to comply with as1428 920 mm wide doors.
- bedroom sized
to allow wheelchair access.
- bedroom window
sills max 600 mm above floor level.
- sliding doors
to robes.
GENERAL
FEATURES:
- all light
switches and power points are extra large rocker types.
- all light
switches and power points mounted at heights for easy access.
- all swing doors
fitted with lever type handles.
- easy care
gardens
- pathways
adapted to avoid steps at doorways (colour and texture for sight
impaired).