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This strategy uses soil pushed up against a new retaining wall leaving a "dry moat" just in front of the house foundation for drainage and air circulation. A bridge spans the moat from the gently sloping walk to the house entrance. A planter replaces the handrail on one side of the bridge and acts as a landscape transition from the hard-surface walk to the house porch.

The front porch is covered to provide weather protection and has sufficient maneuvering space for a person using a mobility aid. Other universal features include a package shelf, high-contrast signage, carefully placed night lighting to illuminate the house numerals and keyless lock, lever hardware, doorbell intercom or video entry system, as well as sidelights for viewing approaching visitors.

An Adaptable Kitchen

A home of this size may have several people participating in food preparation either together as part of a family activity or solo. Their needs can be accommodated in a kitchen that is still conventional in overall appearance.

Features that increase usability for all, such as work surfaces at multiple heights, raised appliances, easy-to-reach storage, and an efficient layout can be seamlessly integrated into the overall design. Key to usability are work surfaces at a variety of heights, ranging from 28 to 42 inches (71 to 107 centimeters).

Varying counter heights ensure that the differing needs of users — short, tall, adults, children, seated, or standing — can all be accommodated in the same kitchen. Methods include an adjustable-height countertop, an island with fixed dual-height work surfaces, and a peninsula with multiple functions.

An electrically operated countertop containing a sink and cooktop allows the user to set the counter at the exact preferred height for any given task. Knee space is provided under the sink and cooktop to facilitate use by a seated user. Rolling carts can be placed in this open space when knee space is not desired.

The peninsula between the kitchen and family room doubles as both a lowered work surface and an informal eating area. The secondary or bar sink has retractable doors to cover the base cabinet storage space that doubles as knee space. The faucet at this sink is mounted at the side of the basin to minimize reach distance.

Located adjacent to the primary sink, the raised dishwasher is positioned at a height generally easier for all to load and unload. Several appliances in the kitchen and laundry have been elevated to minimize the need for bending and stooping for standing people and to place items inside the appliance within easier reach of wheelchair and scooter users.

Ovens are located to maximize adjacent counter space and minimize the need to lift heavy and/or hot dishes and pans. The conventional wall-mounted oven is set with one of the oven racks at the same height as the adjacent work surface, allowing the user to easily slide hot dishes from the rack onto the counter surface.

The microwave oven is also set at counter height with a shelf in front, so hot or heavy dishes may be slid easily to a safe resting area.

Cold-food storage is provided in two independent units (i.e., a refrigerator and a freezer placed side by side on an elevated platform so more of the storage is within a comfortable reach).

Dry goods are stored in a mechanized vertically rotating shelving system running between floor levels. This system provides a large volume of storage using very little floor area, which is particularly important when space is at a premium.

Any shelf can be brought to the optimum convenient height. The programmable system, by entering a number on a keypad, automatically brings the desired item within reach. A more conventional alternative, although not providing as much storage, is a floor-to-ceiling pantry with storage at all reach ranges.

Bathrooms

Having universal features as a standard part of at least one and preferably all bathrooms of any new house expands the likelihood that family members may confidently remain in their homes as long as they wish and their friends may visit regardless of any changes in physical condition.

Each bathroom in the next-generation universal home is carefully arranged to allow approach and use by someone who may, at some point, need to rely on a mobility aid.

All walls around the toilet and bathing fixture include reinforcing for the addition of grab bars, not only at the minimal positions as suggested in many design standards, but whole-wall reinforcing. A person who may desire a vertical grab bar can screw it in place and be confident that the bar is secure.

The bathrooms contain many of the commonly recommended universal features, such as lever-handle faucets, mirrors over the lavatory that are long enough for both a seated and a standing person to view themselves, and offset tub/shower controls.

All toilets and lavatories are adjustable in height. Even more uniquely, each bathing fixture allows multiple bathing options, offering a person choices to meet their individual need or preference without disadvantaging others.

A front entrance similar to that on next-generation universal home. Photo: Leslie C. Young Bridge to an uphill location to create a level entrance. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace Gently sloping garage floor to eliminat step and entry door. At the entry door, the garage floor is flush with the house floor and slopes away from the house. There are vents at the bottom fo the garage door for ventilation. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace Motorized kitchen storage system. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace Laundry/"mud room." Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace First-floor full bath. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace Multibodal bathing fixture concept design. Roll-in or wet area shower. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace Multibodal bathing fixture concept design. High- and low-seated shower. Image: Leslie C. Young and Rex J. Pace   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.