September 15, 2010

Green mixes with universal access in a new house built in Suncadia

Photo courtesy Mike and Susie Carr [enlarge]

The Carrs’ house was designed by 4D Architects and built by Nine Pine Developments.

When Mike and Susie Carr decided to build a vacation home at Suncadia in Cle Elum, they wanted a house that was both sustainable and accessibile to everyone. The result is wheelchair-friendly, but it also offers a number of lessons about design for an aging population.

Universal access means all people of all abilities can use a space. The project is called the Green Access Home at Suncadia, and it opens this weekend at 4047 Swiftwater Drive.

The 2,000-square-foot home is in Suncadia's Nelson Preserve and has targeted 5 Star Built Green. Weekend public tours will begin later this month.

Mike Carr offers one lesson: With a little thought, people can build a house they can live in long-term. Carr, a director of software development at Amazon.com, has been in a wheelchair since 1996, but he said universal design is useful for everyone. Having a house that can easily accommodate aging people adds value because you can live in it longer.

“One of the tips we got from our architect is envision how you're going to use the space,” he said. “Especially for a vacation home because people use them when they are retired. You don't want to build it out, finally retire and not be able to use it.”

The house was designed by 4D Architects and built by Nine Pine Developments. The Carrs live in Bellevue and plan to use it as a vacation home for themselves and friends. It has three bedrooms and two baths.

Carr said it is interesting to watch how universal design and sustainability intersect. For example, he said the house is smaller to make it more sustainable but that also makes it more accessible.

The single-level house sits on a ridge with an elevation change. In front, the house has a long driveway, creating less of a grade change. A viewing deck in back extends about 50 feet from the house, making it easier for people in wheelchairs to experience the outdoors. Carr said the deck will let him watch elk and other wildlife.

The house has smooth, easy to navigate concrete floors. Windows are lower so a seated person can get a better view of the outside. Door handles are another focus. As people age, many develop arthritis, making it hard to turn knobs. The Green Access home has levers on the doors rather than knobs.

The house has wide doors and corridors, a roll-in shower, lower light switches and appropriate tub and bed heights. It has a front loading washer and dryer and an easy access pantry.

One challenge was the kitchen. Countertops are low but a wheelchair user still needs to be able to roll under them, leaving little room for a standard sink. The team used a poured concrete countertop with a built-in sink: “It's hard to get that out of the box.”

The house is well insulated so air flow was a concern. The team added remote controls that allow Carr to open and close the top part of windows, so hot air will flow out of the home.

Green design also forced some innovative solutions. The guest bedroom, for example, was originally slated to have two twin beds, but that would make it difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. The Carrs added a sleeper sofa instead. “If we weren't being green, we would have built it bigger with beds that aren't used. Now it's cozier and mostly a study,” he said. “It led to a better use of the room.”

The house was sited based on the sun and prevailing winds. A large overhang and eaves will protect the house from passive solar gain. It is built into a hillside, which will provide cooling during the summer.

Susie Carr, a naturopath, wanted a strong emphasis on indoor air quality and non-toxic paints and finishes.

The house has solar energy and a solar thermal heating system will warm water for the radiant system in the floors.

With green systems, Carr said the team had to be concerned about payback. But designing for universal accessibility mostly involved smart design and configuration with no added cost.

Carr said visitors wouldn't know the house is different if they don't know the history.

“It's not like you have to have a giant wooden ramp in front of it,” he said. “The whole intent is to make it accessible without being obviously accessible. Good design is accessible.”

Other groups that have been involved in the project include the Sustainability Foundation, the Central Washington Built Green Association, Senger Construction and Second Nature.

Public tours will be given from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10. On Sept. 18 and 19 the project will be featured during the Kittitas Tour of Homes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information or to learn more about the tour, visit http://www.greenaccessatsuncadia.com/about.