Universal Design with Dianne
This Universal Design with Dianne features a repeat customer of Foster Remodeling. This time around they needed to complete a first-floor universal design remodeling project. This would involve widening a few of the first-floor doorways + hallway and renovating their primary bathroom & closet to allow access for a wheelchair.
I first met my clients in August 2021 at their home in Lorton. They explained to me the challenges navigating around the first floor of their home with a wheelchair.
Before
The Problem:
They needed to complete a first-floor universal design remodeling project. This would involve widening a few of the first-floor doorways and renovating their primary bathroom & closet to allow access for a wheelchair.
“This was a project we were not comfortable with selecting just any contractor. It had to be done right and we knew that Foster Remodeling would be able to deliver. If they uncover a problem while the project is under construction, they will address it even if it wasn’t part of the original proposal.” -Client
The Vision:
To widen the end of the first-floor hallway to have a 6’ turning radius, to have access to their primary suite and offices including primary closet by having 36” doorways and have an easier transition in the primary bathroom from wheelchair into shower.
The Challenges:
The hallway was narrow and did not allow a wheelchair to go in and out of the rooms. The client was not able to access the primary closet and the shower using a wheelchair.
The Plan:
Foster has been in business for 40 years and we believe that it’s our process that has made us successful. To widen the end of the hallway and have a 6’ turning radius, we would be required to take away some square footage from the bedroom and offices. To have access to the primary closet with a wheelchair we had to move the entrance to the closet. Within the primary bedroom, the priority was for the bathroom to have a 6’ turning radius in order to access the shower.
The Result:
The client now has access to her primary suite and offices, and it has been life-changing! This is what the client said at the end of the project:
“We appreciate that our lead carpenter, Jonathan, was able to sequence the work in order for some functions of our bathroom to be up and running much sooner than outlined on the construction schedule. We also enjoyed working with Dianne who came up with creative solutions for helping us widen three doors in a very narrow hallway and configure our small closet to maximize the space.”
After!
Written by Dianne Marciano – Design Consultant – Foster Remodeling Solutions, Inc.