The Faid House

ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
THE FAID HOUSE:
AGING IN PLACE
“In no way were the family’s
aesthetics compromised by the
accessible features.”
Ron Wickman
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the front of the three-story FAID home facing west toward the street.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
Empty-nesters Peter and Alison Faid commissioned me to design their home in 2006, when they
purchased a 33 ft. by 140 ft. lot in the same neighborhood they had lived in for 25 years. They
wanted their new home to allow them to age in place. Experience had taught them the importance
of an accessible home, making the principles of visitability important. Besides, Peter had a heart
condition, which could make stairs a problem in the future. Not only did they want their home to be
accessible but they wanted its beauty to reflect their style and taste. The three-level home sits on
a narrow lot, and comes with an attached car garage in front and a walkout basement.
In keeping with the principles of visitability, they have no stairs at the front entrance of their home
and minimal thresholds for all exterior doors, with level entry to the garage. The home is located in
an inner-city community affording them better access to a greater host of neighborhood amenities.
Inner-city development promotes a safer and a more positive and efficiently run city. One of the
biggest myths about accessible design is that such structures will be ugly and costly utilitarian. This
simply is not true.
The three key accessible design strategies in the Faid home was to incorporate a no-step entrance
at the front door, an elevator to make vertical access accessible, and wet room designs for the
bathroom areas.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
“We planned this house
as an empty nester /
retirement home – the
trend these days is
called aging in place.
That’s why we have
wide halls, an entrance
at grade, lever handles,
better lighting – and an
elevator! We feel really
lucky to be living in such
a great place.”
Alison and Peter Faid
The above photograph represents the back perspective of the house, including a level deck and a
walkout basement.
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“Although neither of us need
the elevator to date, the
elevator is great for moving
things like groceries up to the
second level or the basement.
It was also extremely helpful
when moving into the home
because the movers were able
to put all the appliances in the
elevator, rather than carrying
them up the stairs.”
Peter Faid
ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the elevator, which provides easy access to all three levels of the house,
with its door open, stopped on the main floor.
At least five feet of space in front of the elevator enables maneuverability for users in wheelchairs.
The home’s stairway wraps around the elevator. Designed as short runs of five to six steps each,
with sturdy handrails and step lights, the stairway provides for safe vertical travel by foot. The
elevator as part of all of the accessible design features integrated into the house design made
moving into the home simpler. To satisfy users with varying disabilities in the best way possible,
the house features wider doorways (at least 36 inches wide) and decorative rocker-style light
switches which can be operated with a wrist or elbow. Extra insulation in all walls provides better
acoustics; color and textural contrast is provided to assist in wayfinding for persons with visual and
cognitive difficulties.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above floor plan illustrates the main living area, found on the top level and accessible to people
of varying disabilities via the elevator.
In keeping with the principles of visitability, the hallway is at least 42 inches wide with a high brick
red curved ceiling connecting the living / dining room and the kitchen. Red accents including pillows
gathered in the Faids travels to Cambodia and Turkey integrate the space and provide punch. A
bank of bright windows faces east and frames the gas fireplace. The living / dining room and kitchen
are painted a soft sage green.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above floor plan lays out the grade-level first floor of the house into which all guests enter
through the front door.
The broad entranceway incorporates a vestibule containing a bench on which visitors can sit while
donning or doffing shoes. This level also contains Alison’s office (painted a pale mauve) and the
master bedroom. Off the master bedroom is a bathroom (one of two full baths and one half bath)
that serves as a symbol of the home’s combination of form and function.
The clear box shower of glass and ceramic tiles the color of mottled concrete is large. On one wall
of the shower is a stylish grab bar. A low stool, made out of Asian teak, sits outside the shower.
Because its wood can be exposed to water without damage, it can be pulled inside if anybody wants
or needs to sit down while bathing.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above floor plan illustrates the lower level of the home containing Peter’s office, a suite with a
bathroom and bedroom and the laundry room.
As part of their strategy to age in place, the Faids wanted a lower-level suite, which could
accommodate a live-in caregiver, with a separate entrance that opens out to the backyard. A
counter with a sink, microwave, and small fridge, with space to accommodate a cooktop, provides
independence for guests, visiting family or live-in caregivers. Triple glazed windows and high R-
value insulation incorporate energy efficiency. An on-demand hot water system saves money and
energy, as does the high efficiency furnace.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The above image shows the third floor living room looking out onto Edmonton’s beautiful river valley
facing east.
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ACCESSIBLE ARCHITECTURE: BEYOND THE RAMP – OCTOBER 2016
The design of the Faid home was never compromised by the desire to make it more inclusive to as
many people as possible. As architects, we are trained to find creative solutions to design problems.
Making universal design beautiful is our challenge. Architects and designers have no reason to fear
their design options will be limited by accessibility. Instead, inclusive design contributes value and
meaning to any design methodology.
We have been talking about accessible housing for almost fifty years, but I think our aging
population will be what finally pushes us to get it done. Baby Boomers, like the Faids, actually have
the money and the influence to make things happen. They will not just accept that nursing homes
are part of their future. They will demand something different.
Accessible design need not compromise a designer’s approach to design but rather becomes an
element in every designer’s approach. The Faids home was guided by principles of site, light, and
views. Equally important was visitability, adaptability, and accessibility. Nor is sustainability and
energy efficiency left out of consideration. With flexible spaces and accessible designed details, the
Faids home is a good fit over the family’s lifecycle, which can later appeal to a wider range of
potential buyers, when the time is right to sell. Even the second floor deck, overlooking the leafy
Mill Creek Ravine has proven accessible by users in wheelchairs.
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