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Duplex Transformed Into Home for a Lifetime
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No-step front entrance leads to award-winning remodel for lifetime. | From top to bottom, Ann’s Ridge Road Dream was remodeled to become a home for a lifetime.
Originally a duplex, the innovative project is the result of attention to detail and a dynamic working relationship between the home owner and the remodeler ― Quality Design and Construction of Raleigh, N.C.
Peggy and David Mackowski, owners of the remodeling firm, won a Livable Communities Award from AARP and NAHB for the remodel. The awards recognize builders, remodelers and developers who have built creative and unique homes and communities with design features that improve comfort, ease of use and safety for their residents.
At first, the home owner was only considering removing the wall separating the two units, but as the project evolved, it became a leading example of accessibility and aging-in-place design with many energy-efficiency features as well.
A zero-step, street-side entrance leads into the house. Inside, the home has no hallways on the main level and each door is three feet wide or wider to maximize accessibility and sight lines.
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Main living level has no hallways and plenty of light. | At the back of the home is an oversized deck/carport. Dryspace was installed on the underside of the deck, providing cover from the elements while unloading groceries or for visitors.
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Kitchen before. |
| The back door on a lower level of the home opens to a five-foot-wide hallway leading to a two-stop elevator, one for a future caregiver’s residence and the other to the home’s main living level.
The home owner controls the home’s zoned recessed lighting and task lighting with rocker panel light switches. The kitchen’s base cabinets feature pullouts or drawers with oversized handles for easy access.
The laundry room feature tile flooring with epoxy grout for easy maneuverability and for low maintenance.
There is a curbless shower stall with an integral seat and a hand-held shower on an adjustable slide bar off the owner’s bedroom. Though no grab bars have been installed, the shower was built so grab bars could be added in the future, if desired.
In addition, anticipating that the home owner may one day face mobility challenges and possibly need a wheelchair, the bathroom was designed and built with ample turnaround space in front of the shower and multilevel countertops.
Low-E windows are used throughout the home, which also has Therma-Tru front door.
For more information about the Livable Communities Award, e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583.
For applications for the 2008 awards program, click here.
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Kitchen after. |
 Find Out What the 45+ Housing Market Wants
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