b'featureget half a day of optional education around UniversalWhen you start the design and construction processoperate than round knobs, can go a long wayas canGeoff says that while attached garages have been waning in Designbut its really about accessible design in thewith Universal Design principles in mind, most can behaving a level entry to a toilet and shower that can bepopularity for new builds, they are a great solution for providing an context of a wheelchair user. easily incorporated at minimal cost. Weve been toldeasilyandindependentlyusedbyalloccupantsandResene at grade access point to the home. Fibre cement panel cladding in This means that much of the learning in this area isby builders that some projects have even come outvisitors, and ensuring doorways are wide enough forHalf Alabaster Resene X-200 tinted to Resene Foundry, vertical weatherboard cladding in Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Baltic Sea, fascia still experientialwhich is to say, if you havent livedto be roughly the same cost, says Geoff. However, ifall shapes and sizes of people to get through with orin Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Baltic Sea, soffits in something personally or dont have anyone in your lifethese things need to be added at a later stage, it can bewithout mobility aids. Resene Concrete and blockwork retaining walls in Resene Uracryl to share anecdotal evidence of their pain points or howlong, onerous and expensive. GraffitiShield. This home has a five star Lifemark certification. a design can be improved, it can be hard to know whereWhen something happens, getting things changedA study in contrast Design by Higham Architecture, build by Frost Architectural the problems are in the first place. quicklyisnoteasy.Havingtodesignwhatsneeded,OneabilitythatmanytakeforgrantedwhichcanResene Builders, image by Stephen Goodenough.getting tradespeople that are available and that are ablehave a big impact on how people interact with spacesSilver ChaliceMoving in the right direction to do the work, and if you have to get some co-funding,is vision. It is frequently assumed that when a person Something thats universally designed will work for asthat can turn it into a multiyear project. So, if you wereis blind, they experience total blindness. But in reality, many people as possible. Even the fittest among usthinking, oh, Ill just get it modified, it might actually takethe majority of people with vision impairment have will experience illness or injury at some point duringseveral years before that happens, unfortunately. some level of sight. Colour contrast becomes really our lifetime, and none of us are immune to aging. AThis can even come down to seemingly small things,important to help those individuals navigate spaceschange in a persons circumstances shouldnt requireincluding reachable power points and easy-to-use taps,especially around doorways.an expensive retrofit in order to continue living therewindow latches, drawer pulls and light switches. DetailsFor those with low vision, cabinets become slightly easily, safely and independently as time goes on. like lever door handles and taps, which are easier todifferent and more challenging because you cant reach top tipIf you want to change the colour or up the contrast of your handles and drawer pulls, try Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamel for a strong, high gloss finish.Or look to hardwearing Resene AquaLAQ to colour or recolour cabinetry, joinery and furniture.left: Its a common misconception that universally designed homes require a bigger footprint. As Geoff puts it, its simply about putting space in the right place to meet circulation needs in rooms like bedrooms. Feature wall in Resene Silver Chalice, ceiling and trims in Resene Half Alabaster. Design by Higham Architecture, build by RJ Murray Builders Limited,www.rjbuild.co.nz, image by Mick Stephenson,www.mickstephenson.com.50 blackwhitemag.com blackwhitemag.com 51'