Image: Iwan Sastrawiguna
So periodically I will feature architectural design that isn’t specifically made for universal design, but the space has aspects of accessibility. Many times the space can serve as a design inspiration when making something that is meant to be accessible. That is definitely the case for today’s Architecture+Design feature. This is a semi outdoor roll-in shower by Indonesia based Iwan Sastrawiguna Interior Design.
Image: Jacuzzi
After taking a shower or bath, standard procedure calls for us to immediately grab a towel and dry off quickly. That’s because we’re usually pretty darn cold with the water still on our bodies. A luxurious way to combat this is to have a warm towel to dry off with. This can be done with a wall mounted towel warming rack. Another way is with this towel warming drawer by Jacuzzi. A drawer that can be mounted at any height and can also warm more than just towels.
Sometimes in life there are things that seem like they would be a simple process but turn out to be complicated. Installation of grab bars can be one of those processes. Just putting them anywhere on the wall won’t work. You need to make sure you’re mounting to a stud or wood backing. If none are available, wall anchors can used but not on all types of walls will work. Plus all these processes involve drilling holes. Which some may not want to do on their nice and expensive tile walls. There’s also the risk of cracking the tile when drilling. To solve this dilemma, a no drill option is available. Nie Wieder Bohren (aka No Drilling Required) is grab bar mounting system that utilizes high strength adhesives. The grab bars can be found in some stores and online websites so many of you may already be familiar with them. But for those who are not let’s see how they work.
Image: k Yoder design
When I look for architectural and interior design spaces to feature, I like to choose ones that really jump out at me. Immediately when I saw this roll-in shower I knew it was going to be written about. Even though it’s not specifically designed for accessibility, it’s still a design inspiration. Designed by k Yoder design of Philadelphia, this roll-in shower definitely stands out.
This week’s Bad Design Style case isn’t necessarily bad but very unusual to my eyes. These pictures come from Australia and are shown as examples of accessible toilets. But the shape of the toilet and grab bars are very different from U.S. ADA requirements.
Image: Harth Builders
Sometimes when I have a bathroom that needs to be modified for accessibility, the existing space can provide space challenges. Either because of the size and shape of the space or the locations of the fixtures. Which especially on a limited budget, requires some creativity. This wheelchair accessible bathroom by Harth Builders of Spring House, Pennsylvania doesn’t have a typical bathroom arrangement. Yet it does maximize functionality with the space given.
Image: Davide Bot
As humans, we come in all different shapes and sizes. The concept of universal design tries to find a happy medium that fits all of us. But of course the perfect dimensions for each of us can vary greatly. Which is why many sections of the ADA building code have separate measurements for areas that serve children. A place where the perfect height can vary is the bathroom sink. Some of us are very tall, other shorter, and wheelchair users need roll-under space. Italian product designer Davide Bot has proposed a concept design that would satisfy all of these people with his Tetris adjustable sink concept.
Image: Mikiten Architecture
Last week I wrote about a vineyard house for a winery and their accessible bathrooms. This week I’m keeping with the wine theme with a house that’s built in the wine country of Livermore, California. A huge house that had specific needs that the architects of Mikiten Architecture had to meet. Here is how they describe the wheelchair accessible house project:
Set in the vineyards of the South Livermore Valley, this house appears to be a weathered wooden barn from the road, but upon approach transforms into a modern, metal-clad shed open to the valley and vineyard views.
Posted in Architecture+Design, Residential
Tagged ada compliance, ada compliant, aging in place, disabilities, elderly, handicapped, inclusive design, livermore, maher residence, mikiten architecture, universal design, Wheelchair Accessible, wheelchair accessible bathroom, wheelchair accessible kitchen
