Flex Housing

FlexHousing-- A New Approach to Construction

How would you like to have a home that adjusts to your changing needs, instead of having to move when you outgrow your present home? Sound ideal? Maybe a new approach to construction called FlexHousing is your answer. FlexHousing focuses on adaptability and accessibility. Designers are looking at housing which can accommodate a broad range of individual needs over time. Accessibility features focus on design requirements which facilitate the lives of persons with disabilities.
There is a wide range of guidelines for the design of the main elements of a dwelling to achieve adaptability and accessibility objectives.These guidelines pertain to entries, circulation spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, living and dining areas, bedrooms, storage spaces, laundry facilities, balconies, doors, windows, electrical outlets and controls, heating and air conditioning. They also pertain to spaces outside the dwelling, including parking areas, walkways, commmunal areas, and yards.

Some areas in flexible design:
-designed to promote social interaction, by supplying a front porch and outdoor courtyard space, to bring residents togther rather than keep them apart.
-designed to accommodate a variety of family types and provide for home office space, bedrooms, a rental suite or garden.
-on-grade access, with no steps to enter the home.

As the population ages, it will not be necessary to move to more accessible housing. Homes will be designed to simultaneously satisfy users with varying disabilities. They will offer on-grade access, with no stairs, open floor plans, adjustable kitchen counters, lever door handles, accordion closet doors, adjustable rod and shelf heights, and reinforcing for future installation of a stair lift and grab bars. Strategic use of color, contrasts and changes in texture of ground and wall surfaces serve as visual and tactile cues for persons with sight and cognitive limitations.

More homes will be designed for different family units, including double master suites, more multi-purpose rooms. One such project had several single person units each with one bedroom, one bath, and a bar fridge, hot plate, microwave, small kitchen and TV/Music area. In another area of the house, were a large commercial style kitchen, large dining room and entertainment area, large office area separated by dividers, and fun areas such as a games room. Thus residents could have as much or as little privacy as they wanted.

As there are more single adults, they may wish to live communally, but will want their own bedrooms and bathrooms. As with any housing, the most important issues are still community, flexibility, accessibility, sustainability, home automation and affordability.