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Award-Winning Universal Home Has Personality to Spare
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Universal design and personality go hand-in-hand at the Freedom home in Tampa, Fla. |
The Freedom home by New Millennial Homes of Tampa, Fla. is a pioneering, life-enhancing, turnkey home perfectly suited for disabled returning veterans, older adults and people with special needs.
The home, which brims with personality and architectural details that blend with its accessible features, was one of four recipients of the 2008 Livable Communities Awards, sponsored by AARP and NAHB. New Millennial Homes received the award in the category of Builder Up to 2,500 Square Feet.
AARP and NAHB are accepting entries for the third annual Livable Communities Awards, which honor forward-looking housing industry professionals who have designed, built or remodeled creative and unique homes and communities that improve the daily comfort, ease of use and safety of residents. The deadline for applications is June 5.
The Freedom model features slip-resistant interior and exterior surfaces, extra-wide doorways, ADA-compliant plumbing and kitchen appliances, adjustable shelves and many other features that make this home easy to navigate and live in for the long term.
In the kitchen, for instance, the cabinets and drawers have full-extension hardware and pullout shelves for easy access. All the appliances are ADA-compliant and all have been incorporated into a 34-inch cabinet height for ease-of-use. The kitchen’s island was cleverly designed to conceal the view of the open space below the sink that is needed for wheelchair access.
The kitchen also features a continuous countertop and a strategically located pullout work surface that is concealed behind a cabinet door when not in use. For added convenience, there is a pot-filler above the smooth top stove as well as strategically located switches for the hood vent, stove light and under-cabinet lighting.
Other Key Features
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The master suite features its own no-step entry and a closet with a pull-down closet rod and adjustable shelves. |
There is an accessible no-step entrance/exit in the master suite as well as a closet in the master bedroom with a pull-down closet rod and adjustable shelves.
The fully-accessible master bath has an accessible toilet and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair. The bath also features a no-threshold shower with a fold-down seat, an adjustable-height showerhead, multiple grab bars for convenience and transfer options and dual shower curtain tracks that offer the user multiple privacy options.
All the electrical switches are rocker-type switches in contrasting colors that are located no more than 48 inches above the finished floor for easy access and ease-of-use. Likewise all outlets and phone and cable jacks are located 18 inches above the floor. An additional phone jack is also appropriately located in the master bath.
An Eye Toward Long-Term Use
To keep long-term utility costs affordable for its occupants, New Millennial Homes loaded the Freedom model with EnergyStar appliances, energy-wise light bulbs and ceiling fans and state-of-the-art insulation.
The home also features low-maintenance landscaping that accents the accessible passageways to the home.
With an eye toward future use, the builder also included additional electrical wiring in the walls that will enable future home owners to reposition switches and jacks to better fit their specific needs.
The Livable Communities Awards this year have added new categories to recognize architects and planners for home and community design. The awards previously just recognized builders, remodelers and developers.
For more information about the Livable Communities Awards, or to apply, visit www.NAHB.org/livablecommunities or e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583.
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The no-threshold shower features a fold-down seat, multiple grab bars and an adjustable showerhead. |
 Find Out What the 45+ Housing Market Wants
“Right House, Right Place, Right Time: Community and Lifestyle Preferences of the 45+ Housing Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, will help determine the right design, home features and amenities to attract boomer home buyers in your market.
Author Margaret A. Wylde guides readers through the latest survey results on this important consumer group and explains what their responses mean for today’s and tomorrow’s home building industry.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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