Universal Design

McDowell + Satzinger are strong advocates of Universal Design principles and one of the few builders in Santa Fe actively promoting these progressive standards in home design. An outgrowth of the barrier-free movement, the goal of Universal Design is to build a beautiful, completely accessible home where the barrier-free features are creatively integrated and fairly unnoticeable. A universal designed home is a home that welcomes people of all physical abilities without an “institutional” look or feel to it.

Universal design allows a homeowner to continue living in their home as their physical abilities change over time. So you will never be forced out of your home by a disability. It also means you can host gatherings with family and friends regardless of the physical challenges your guests may face.

Most of these universal design features are simple changes, such as wider hallways and doorways, lever-type handles, and rocker-type electrical switches. With a little creativity, this can be done without drastically altering the original design goals and overall plan. The added spaciousness and easy-to-use features of universal design are a benefit to everyone and simply make a home more comfortable and enjoyable to live in.

For more information, please visit: http://universaldesign-nm.org/