Successful Projects from the Start: Futureproofing Functionality in Accessible Living Environments
August 13, 2025
By LaDonna Eriksen
Creating residential spaces that are not only accessible but exceptional begins with collaboration and clear intent. The destination is a home that supports people of all ages and abilities with independence, safety, and comfort. That path starts with a design charrette—an inclusive kickoff with homeowners, caregivers, architects, general contractors, interior designers, therapists, and integrators—to align visions and define what “functioning well” means for each occupant.
Photo Courtesy of Mike and LaDonna Eriksen
The charrette yields a shared intent document that distinguishes must-haves from nice-to-haves, guiding coordinated decisions across trades. Teams also future‑proof infrastructure early—conduit, panel capacity, low‑voltage runs, neutral wires, and accessible junction points—to create flexibility for decades.
Accessible Starting Points
Core spatial strategies minimize effort and risk. Arrivals are step‑free with flush thresholds, 36" doorways, and 42"+ hallways for smooth circulation. Continuous, level flooring and 60" turning zones at key nodes prevent trip points. Bedrooms and living areas provide two‑sided bed access, reachable controls, uncluttered paths, flexible seating, quiet zones, and blackout/glare control. Stairs include railings on both sides, visual edge contrast, and uniform risers; stacked closets or a reserved lift location supports future elevator installation.
Photo Courtesy of Interiors By Design LaDonna Eriksen
Task-driven rooms are purposefully organized. Kitchens separate prep, cook, clean, and serve zones, with multi‑height work surfaces (optional knee space), pull‑out boards, deep drawers, D‑shaped pulls, an induction cooktop with auto shutoff, and a wall oven at a comfortable height. Bathrooms feature curbless showers with linear drains, reinforced walls for future grab bars, slip‑resistant heated floors, handheld and fixed showerheads with thermostatic valves, and comfort‑height toilets with transfer space and prewired bidet seats.
Elevating safety, comfort through materials
Material and sensory choices elevate safety, comfort, and clarity. Flooring emphasizes slip resistance, low glare, and continuous surfaces—matte LVP, cork, rubber, or textured porcelain—paired with thoughtful contrast at edges, switches, and surfaces for visual legibility. Acoustic comfort comes from soft surfaces, sealed doors, quiet HVAC equipment, and targeted panels. Air quality is protected through low‑ or no‑VOC finishes, balanced ventilation, right‑sized filtration, and attentive humidity control.
Smart Home Tech Considerations
Dependable technologies extend this foundation. At entries, video doorbells, intercoms, and smart locks provide secure access with redundancies. Environmental sensors detect water leaks, smoke, CO, and temperature changes, enabling smart shutoffs and flood protection. Zoned HVAC, indoor air quality monitoring, and humidity management stabilize conditions precisely. Scene‑based controls—“Morning,” “Focus,” “Wind Down”—reduce cognitive load, using visual timers and gentle alerts (tones, light flashes, wearable vibrations) within a layered lighting strategy that blends ambient, task, and accent illumination via high‑CRI, warm‑to‑neutral sources. Tunable white supports circadian rhythms; occupancy sensors and pathway lighting enhance nighttime safety; motorized shades automate glare and heat control with manual override preserved.
Control redundancy ensures accessibility: voice, apps, and physical switches coexist so users choose what suits them. Local‑first operation keeps essentials—lighting, HVAC, alerts—running during internet disruptions, while battery backups or generators add resilience. Privacy‑by‑design limits data collection, favors local storage, and offers clear permissions, balancing automation with autonomy.
Built in Adaptability
Photo Courtesy of Interiors By Design LaDonna Eriksen
Adaptability sustains value. Modular cabinetry, adjustable heights, swappable fixtures, and multipurpose furnishings allow spaces to evolve. Phased tech deployment protects budgets: prioritize essentials (lighting, sensors, HVAC, shading), then layer convenience and wellness features based on lived experience. Commission systems in real‑world scenarios; provide hands‑on orientation and simple guides to build confidence. Return within 30–60 days for post‑occupancy tuning—adjust routines, thresholds, and interactions as patterns emerge.
The result is a cohesive ecosystem—more than a structure, a living platform for independence that grows with its people—and a shift from accessibility as a checkbox to Full Access by design.
A well-designed home is shaped by the rhythm of its occupants’ lives. For a young couple raising three children under age seven, daily routines and family dynamics drive both layout and technology choices. These homes prioritize flexibility and flow—meeting the bustling pace of childhood and multitasking parents. Smart tech scenes simplify transitions: a single voice command dims lights, locks doors, and plays soothing music to ease into bedtime rituals.
Open sightlines from the kitchen to play and work zones let parents monitor activity without constant supervision. Modular furniture, acoustic dampening, and soft lighting foster a calm environment that adapts to varying levels of activity. Durable materials—easy to clean and built to last—support playful exploration, from sticky fingers to spontaneous blanket forts.
Ergonomic features accommodate frequent lifting, bending, and juggling gear. Voice-controlled lighting, hands-free entry, and adjustable-height fixtures reduce physical strain. Safety integrates subtly through childproofing that blends into the décor—thoughtful placement over intrusive barriers.
Sensory comfort takes priority. Glare-free lighting, layered illumination, and noise separation limit overstimulation for children and adults alike. The space encourages learning, independence, and creative play while preserving calm and order.
Modifications to meet changing needs
As the occupants age, the same home evolves to support a couple in their seventies. The layout prioritizes routine-friendly navigation, intuitive technology, and minimal cognitive effort. Rather than overwhelming interfaces, discreet systems focus on comfort and safety while maintaining privacy and autonomy.
Livable adaptations—seated workstations, slip-resistant floors, supportive furniture, and grab bars—enhance mobility and safety. Storage is optimized to minimize bending or reaching, while smooth flooring transitions prevent trips and falls. Lighting upgrades include glare-free fixtures, visual contrast, and layered illumination that enhance visibility and reduce strain.
Technology shifts to include tactile controls, closed captioning, and visual alerts to accommodate hearing and dexterity changes. Acoustically treated interiors and dependable climate systems create a quiet, welcoming atmosphere. Communication hubs facilitate video calls and neighborhood engagement, maintaining social connection and reducing isolation.
The layout flexes to support individual preferences and shared routines. Whether one partner leads in tech use or assists with care, the environment promotes dignity, collaboration, and independence. It’s a home built not just for aging in place, but thriving in place.
In multigenerational settings, universal enhancements benefit all. Wider bedroom-to-bath paths and warm, low-level night lighting ensure safe, peaceful transitions. Homes feel quiet, predictable and dignified — because function was intentionally woven in from the start.
Creating a truly supportive home — one that fosters independence, comfort and long-term safety — requires more than thoughtful design. It demands proactive, interdisciplinary collaboration grounded in clear intent and future-oriented planning.
LaDonna A. Eriksen, BS, M.S., CASSI-PRO, is CEO and director of education at Construction Education Consortium. She leads the development of educational programs focused on accessible and functional home design. Construction Education Consortium is an ANSI/IACET accredited provider of CEUs.