Archive for the ‘Universal Design’ Category

Universal Design in Charlottesville, Virginia »

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

Universal (Aging in Place) design seems to be a part of the majority of projects High Caliber Construction is involved with these days.

Last Spring we built a house for a couple (See “Fred & Sue L” under Projects) retiring out of the Northern Virginia area and, even thought both clients are in great health, the entire project was designed and built with “aging in place” in mind.  All hallways are wide to allow for 3′ wide doors; the Master Bath shower is “walk-in” and the walls are lined with 3/4″ plywood to allow for placement of grab bars anywhere the client desires.  An elevator allows easy movement between floors- handy now for elderly family & guests and, if necessary, available later for the owners. 

Many of these Universal Design elements are easy and inexpensive to incorporate with new construction; when properly executed, they do not look or feel instituional.  High Caliber has also been involved in remodel projects where the retrofiting of these design elements is more of a challenge and our associated architects must be inventive to accomplish the mission. 

A fair number of the baby boomers want to stay in their homes and High Caliber is fully prepared to help.

Bill Ware, President

High Caliber Construction/Charlottesville, Albermarle and surrounding Counties

Custom Homes-Major Additions & Remodels-Historic Restorations

 

Posted in Universal Design

Custom Home Building in Charlottesville, Virginia »

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

At High Caliber Construction, we encounter a wide variety of wants and needs in a custom home.

Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of folks aiming to retire in the Charlottesville area. We are about to start a Design/Build on just such a project for a couple out of Northern Virginia who have focused in on an “English Country Cottage” theme and want to emphasize quality over quantity of square footage; there are many reasons why this is a wise approach. In contrast to a Design/Build we are just finishing up for a couple with 3 children, this cozy abode will feature a 1st Floor Master Suite and a finished basement that can be retrofitted later, if need be, with a chair lift.

Throughout this home will be elements of Universal Design (aging in place). Most of these design features are unobtrusive– 3′ door openings, lever handled door handles and plywood backed shower walls for ease of grab bar placement, for example. The joy of such homes is in the details that make a home warm and inviting– a wonderful prospect for this couple who will be trading a townhome in a busy city for a country cottage surrounded by pines.

Sherri Tracinski, our Architect, and I never tire of custom projects. Each is different, whether it be a home, an addition, a remodel or an historic renovation. Be sure to take a look at each of the featured projects on our website– they each have a story that our clients are willing to share.

Bill Ware, President
High Caliber Construction
Charlottesville, Virginia

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Universal Design

Homes of the High Caliber Kind »

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Every month on this page, I will examine an element of design, materials or construction that will pertain to one or more of the following 3 categories:

  • Custom Home Building
  • Common Sense ConservationSM
  • Universal Design

In each of these articles the subject will be explored in non-technical terms for the benefit of a broad audience. “Custom Home Building” will be revealed as a separate and distinct method of “creating” a special place to live. “Common Sense ConservationSM” will reveal the real world benefits of elements of design and construction which conserve both the planet and the clients’ bank account while “Universal Design” will bring to light features that will increase the long term “livability” of a home.

For now, “Welcome” to High Caliber Construction’s Website and Blog; I sincerely hope that you will find this useful in your quest for a “home of the High Caliber kind.”

Bill Ware, President
High Caliber Construction
Charlottesville, Virginia

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Common Sense ConservationSM, Custom Home Building, Universal Design