Ideas from Green Mountain Ranch : With Over 200 Green and Universal Design Elements

Ideas from Green Mountain Ranch: With Over 200 Green and Universal Design Elements 

(Images at www.AgingBeautifully.org/ranch)

Project Goals

Green and healthy, and proactive: demonstrating the complementary features of health design and green design.

Visitable: usable today by guests in wheelchairs.

Adaptable: to the needs of tall and short users, older people, children, and those with low vision, reduced mobility or low hearing.  Even people requiring a caregiver can live independently for life in this home.

Regenerative:  restoring when the inevitable occurs. This is a place for regeneration, a sanctuary for healing the wounds of the outside world.  Come home to healing natural light, beautiful views, soothing music, and so much more.  The house supports good sleep, restorative exercise, and healthy cooking.  This is a home for life.

Exterior Features

1. Glass garage and barn doors for extra light without extra energy use.

2. Preheated hot water from solar panels for water heater, spa, radiant heating.

3. Greenhouses and glassed-in patio to increase lighting levels

4. High ambient temperatures without increased cost (older people often need 78° ambient temperatures) primarily using four passive solar greenhouses.  Our energy costs for ten years averaged less than $70 per month.

5. Insulation with high “R” values to prevent heat loss.

6. All door and window seals pressure and infrared tested to prevent heat loss.

7. Recessed door mat to prevent tripping

8. Thermo pane “E” glass to hold heat in.

9. Beautiful views in DR, LR, Entry, Bath, Spa, Studio and Master BR (beauty reduces stressful thoughts)

10. Full walls of glass in these rooms to increase exposure to natural light.

11. Snow stops on the roof to use snow for insulation value.

12. Drive-up mail box

13. Small lake stocked with 100 German Browns for healthy eating. 

14. Sidewalks not exceeding a 5% slope (with a 2% side slope)

15. Passenger loading zone with zero clearance exterior route for people using mobility devices.

16. Accessible route to all doors

17. Radon mitigation

Kitchen Electrical/Lighting/Mechanical

18. High lighting levels without glare, up to100 foot-candles.

19. Low voltage lighting saves energy

20. Low voltage lights also improves visual acuity in cabinets

21. Hot water floor heating to keep heat low in the room for children, shorter people, and wheelchair users

22. Thermostat controlled by a laptop.  It can be programmed to save energy

23. The thermostat can be operated from the road, from a wheelchair, or from bed.  This device can be used to pre-warm the house or turn down the thermostat from work.  People reduced circulation, quadriplegia for example, may have difficulty with extreme changes in temperature.

Kitchen Cabinets

24. 42” a.f.f. (above finished floor) wall-mounted cabinets and counters for tall people. With a remodel, they can be lowered to 32” a.f.f. for wheelchair users

25. 10” removable drawer in the kick space to lower the cabinets for wheelchair users

26. Self-closing drawers, eliminating protruding hazards

27. White interiors on cabinets for visual acuity and to reduce the need for lighting.

28. “C” grips on cabinets and drawers throughout the house

29. FSC certified book matched Santos rosewood

30. Full drawer extensions for easy access

31. Heavy items stored low

32. Light weight and seldom used items stored high

33. Pull down shelf

34. Pull-out hangers for dish clothes

35. Pull-out racks for easy reach.

36. Lazy susans to bring storage forward.

37. Appliance garages at counter level to prevent lifting

38. Wine rack usable by people of all heights and abilities (red wine is healthy!)

Kitchen Counters, Walls, and Floors

39. Light colored counters and floors throughout to increase reflected light and save energy.

40. Low glare on all floors to prevent veiling reflections which are perceived as puddles of water (slipping hazards) by people with reduced vision.

41. Accessible route between the kitchen, garage, patio, two bedrooms, three baths, living room, and library. Adaptable route to all spaces.

42. Staggered stud construction to prevent noise transmission to other rooms

43. Zero clearance kitchen entries with less than 1/4” change of elevation throughout the accessible route.  This prevents tripping.

44. Sweeps on kitchen doors to eliminate the thresholds with are tripping hazards.

45. Non-slip quartzite floor

46. Narrow level floor joints (for wheelchair users)

47. Anti-microbial solid synthetic counters

48. Synthetic counters won’t off-gas radon as some granites do.

49. The counters are made with 35% recycled material and are fabricated within 100 miles of the home to save energy.

50. Counters all on one level for sliding heavy pans

51. Fruit bowl/sink on the counter to encourage healthy eating (plumbed for washing fruit).

Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures

52. Refrigerator, 2 freezers and pantry for storage to save trips and energy

53. Column refrigerator and freezer offer storage space within reach of shorter people, children, and wheelchair users.

54. Both doors swing away from the task area with column refrigerators and freezers. 

55. Shallow shelves in the refrigerator and freezer for easy reach

56. Backlighting in the refrigerator and see-through drawers to improve visual acuity

57. Dual refrigeration to keep foods fresher

58. Ice and water source usable from a wheelchair (the ice is enclosed to prevent absorption of food odors)

59. Extra long “C” grips on appliances

60. Espresso machine that makes steamed milk taste like cream

61. Pop-up shelf usable from a wheelchair or from a standing position.

62. Appliances to encourage healthy cooking including a steam oven, pasta cooker, indoor and outdoor grills, and a magnetic induction wok.

63. Energy saving induction cookware

64. Stay-cool handles to prevent burns and rolled edges to prevent spills.

65. Some glass cookware to improve visual control from a seated position.

66. Universal kitchen utensils (can opener, spatula, peeler, etc.)

67. Ready-Hot faucet for sterilizing. 

68. Ready-Hot saves the water you need to run to get to hot water and uses less energy than a 40 watt lightbulb.

69. Faucet on each counter to prevent lifting out of the sinks (pot filler, goose neck faucet, and retractable spray)

70. Controls usable with one hand

71. Reachable controls between 18” a.f.f. and 48” a.f.f. (outlets, switches, dishwasher and downdraft fan controls, etc)

72. Fascia-mounted drain controls.

73. In-sink cutting board made of renewable bamboo.

74. Magnetic induction cook top (for sliding heavy pans and to prevent burns) with front mounted redundantly cued child-proof controls.

75. Magnetic induction systems optimize use of energy for cooking.

76. Side-hinged oven door/breadboard below for wheelchair users.

77. Fold-down seat in garage entry (for changing shoes without reducing access)

78. Microwave with opening code to prevent use by children and people with dementia.

Laundry Room

79. Elevated water saving washer and elevated dryer with front-mounted controls

80. Recycling bins and composter (eliminating the need for a garbage disposal)

81. LED tread lights on all stairs for safety

82. LED lighting saves energy.

83. Adaptable closet space for an accessible washer and drier

Dining Room

84. Outlets for platform lifts in the DR, spa, and one guest room

85. Clearstory lighting to add extra light without extra cost

86. Computer monitors in the DR, spa and LR (for increased text size and training)

87. Gas fireplace in the dining room as an additional heat source for older people who need high ambient temperatures

88. Remote control on fireplace

89. CO2 detectors wherever gas is used.

Front Entry

90. Water fountain for the relaxing sound of running water to reduce stress

91. Video intercom which shows images of the visitor throughout the house and records visitor while we are gone (security is the number one issue for older people)

92. Deadbolts on inner and outer doors for security in the entry, garage, and back patio.

93. Mortise system on entry doors to eliminate the threshold which is a tripping hazard.

94. Skylights to add extra light without extra cost

95. Extensions on the handrails where possible

96. Covered exterior entrance with slip resistant slate.

Back Entry

97. Glass walls and ceiling to improve visual acuity

98. Recessed area rug

99. Grill in the fireplace for year round healthy cooking

100. Automatic opener which can be operated by wheelchair users on a door without clearances for wheelchair use.

Living Room

101. EPA approved wood-burning fireplace as a heat source raised for easy access

102. Self-starting fire (gas under wood).

103. Wood storage with touch controls

104. Lamps with pressure switches

105. Biodegradable wool carpet in the living room

106. Carpet prevents slipping.  Soft surfaces also prevent injuries when falls occur.

107. Carpet also absorbs 70% of the ambient noise in the space to improve hearing.

108. Arms well forward on chairs

109. Biodegradable grass cloth

110. Wall texture offers traction when leaning on the wall to prevent slip and fall.

111. Wall texture, quilted shades, and carpet absorb more than 70% of the ambient noise in the space.

112. Full visual access to the kitchen, living room, and dining room for reading lips and body language.

113. Insulating shades to save energy

114. Shades are light weight and easy to use.  They also improve ambient temperatures for people with reduced circulation.

115. High contrast between the seating, floor, and walls.

116. High contrast rocker switches

117. Touch latches on fireplace

118. Corner guards to prevent damage from the wheelchair

119. Smoke detectors throughout the house

120. Speakers throughout the house for soothing music to reduce stress.

Library

121. Offset pivot hinge on door to library

122. Large print books in the library

123. Handrails at two height

124. Evaporative cooler to save the energy used by air conditioners.

125. Recessed area rug to prevent tripping

Spa

126. Plants throughout to remove contaminants and increase oxygen levels

127. Weights, treadmill, and wind trainer, and ceiling mounted TV in a beautiful space (not hidden in the basement).  This encourages exercise.

128. Slip resistant oil finish on wood floors in the spa and bathroom

129. Spa pre-heated with solar panels

130. Thermal mass in the greenhouses to store heat during the day and release it at night

131. Reversible ceiling fans in the ceiling to cool in the summer and bring the heat down in the winter.

Bathroom Accommodating Reduced Ambulatory Mobility

132. Ceiling lift between the bathtub and toilet (this is actually fun to use) – reinforcement less than $50

133. Chromatherapy bathtub for relaxation

134. FSC certified maple floor with slip-resistant finish.

135. Water-saving toilet with no tank.

136.  “Comfort” height is easily used by tall people, wheelchair users, or older people with reduced upper body strength.

137. Built-in seat in aromatherapy shower

138. Soap dispenser (to prevent a fall from retrieving bar soap from the floor)

139. Vertical and horizontal shower grab bars

140. Hidden fold-down grabs bars next to the toilet

141. Wall of glass and mirror to increase light levels (without extra energy use) in the bathroom, LR, DR, spa, studio and master bedroom

142. Bathroom cabinets wall mounted at 42” a.f.f. to reduce bending.  Because they are wall mounted, they can be lowered at a future date (for shorter people and wheelchair users).

Den

143. Lamps wired to rocker wall switches

144. Levers on all doors throughout the house

145. FSC certified birdseye and quartersawn maple paneling

146. Zoned heating on thermostats

147. Murphy beds at the height of a wheelchair user – the house accommodates four guests for training in sustainable and universal design.  The DR can be used to train14 guests (who can stay in on a nearby ranch).

148. Wi-Fi (so people of all abilities can use laptops anywhere without cords).

149. Pull-out keyboard and utility tray for seated users unable to use a laptop

150. Non-slip oil finish on floor

151. FSC certified maple floor in the den and dining room.

152. Closet with clothing storage for both standing and seated users.

Gurney Accessible Bathroom

153. Movable wall for shower gurney access

154. Vanity remodeled to clear the space for wheelchair users

155. Hand-held shower

156. 6’ hose on shower

157. Shower heads at four different heights which can be used individually to improve access or pulsed for a water massage.

158. Elongated standard height toilet in the shower for use as a seat or to use with a shower wheelchair for clean up after bowel/bladder program

159. Wall mounted “P” trap for the sink (to clear the knee space) with horizontal pipe and extra insulation.

160. All bathroom walls have ¾” plywood reinforcement for safe attachment of grab bars, towel bars, etc.

161. Slip-resistant tile (.6 CFR wet and dry) with multiple grout lines for traction

162. Floor tile installed at a 2% slope for drainage

163. Flexible threshold for easy use from a wheelchair.

164. Full length shower curtain with chain weights to help hold the water in.

165. Pressure reducing mix valves to prevent surges of hot water

166. Temperature read-out on shower control to prevent scalding

167. Covered toilet paper rolls (to protect them from the hand-held shower)

168. Night light behind the mirror and recessed in the skylights to prevent tripping.

Master Bedroom

169. Cross ventilation for fresh air while sleeping.

170. Touch controls on all cabinets and doors (no knobs)

171. Touch controls on metal lamps (master bedroom)

172. Touch controls on automatic shades

173. Telephone which amplifies high frequencies which are lost by many older people

174. Pull down upper closet rods to improve reach, especially for children, little people, and wheelchair users.

175. Accessible lower clothing rods

176. Ironing board in a drawer for easy access.

177. Laundry storage under the bed with touch controls

178. Hepa air filter to prevent allergies

179. Elevated bed for easy entry

180. Hot water heat (replacing electric baseboard which carbonizes dust).

181. Lighting and shade controls to reset circadian rhythm

182. Carpet to increase mean gait speed, step length, walking confidence.  Carpet also prevents slip and fall and cushions the blow if a fall occurs 

183. Quilted fabric wall and carpet to absorb ambient noise

184. Duvet covers (make the bed with one hand)

185. Opening in the door frame to accommodate a lift

186. Fire egress hidden in quilted wall

187. Phone chime to reduce stress

Master Bath

188. Unglazed ceramic mosaic tile for slip resistance

189. Sink adaptable to a seated position

190. Reinforcement for ceiling lift from the bed to the bathtub and toilet

191. Grab bars which double as towel bars

192. Handles on the bathtub

193. Grab bars placed where needed in a residence, not where required by ADA in commercial spaces.

194. Water saving toilet with touch controls

195. Universal faucet with touch controls

196. Zenon lighting behind the mirror to control glare

197. Radiant heat in the floor

198. Quiet fan to reduce ambient noise

Other Features in Progress

199. Shades in the DR to reduce contrast glare

200. Attached area rugs in the den and DR

201. Moveable cabinets.

202. Moveable stairs for transfer into the spa from a wheelchair

203. Grab bars around the roll-in shower in the den bath

204. Fold-down blockers on all sliding doors for increased security

205. Solar powered automatic driveway gate for security (a high priority for older and disabled people).

206. Advanced warning system in the driveway

207. Elevated planters for easy gardening

208. Built-in circular patio sofa with space for wheelchair users to join the conversation

209. Water pumped by a windmill for irrigation and fire mitigation

210. Solar lighting

211. Solar voltaic panels (perhaps charging an electric car)

212. Use of wind power to generate hydrogen to supplement or replace propane.

Come visit us!  Read about free monthly tours at http://agingbeautifully.org/ranch.html