Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Univesal design and Co-housing

[mark (mark]

>  While it seems like a
> great idea, some people couldn't imagine a unit without a step-up, because we
> are so used to that. Is there any downside to having roll-in entrances to all
> the units?

A roll-in entrance is not necessarily at grade; they can be above 
grade, accessed by ramps.  Unfortunately, ramps take up an 
extraordinary amount of physical and visual space.  They are also 
expensive.  Assurances that your ramps will be unobtrusive and/or 
reasonably-priced should be treated with suspicion.

There are weatherproofing issues involved in flush thresholds, 
whether or not they are at grade.  Make sure you've got good 
detailing under and around the door threshold and at the intersection 
of deck, patio, masonry stoop or whatever and building.  Architects, 
we've noticed, do not necessarily pay enough attention to such 
things, and builders will be in too much of a hurry to bother unless 
bound by detail drawings and specs.  A bit of advance fussing and 
fretting will save money and effort down the road.

There are also door-swing issues.  A threshold which is flush (or 
nearly flush) with the interior finish floor will cause the door to 
rub against your carpet, or it won't leave room to throw down an area 
rug to sop up the slop which gets tracked in from outside. 
Functionally, it's better to have some clearance above the finish 
floor surface.

Hope that's helpful.

Enjoy,

Mark

(Bellingham Cohousing)
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