Competition for Architecture Students to Design a Home with 'Visitability'

College and university students around Connecticut who are enrolled in an architectural curriculum are being challenged to design a 2,000-square-foot home using the three features of "visitability" in the final home plan, incorporating features that make the dwelling accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The three main features of visitability in home building design include one zero/no step entrance, hallways that offer at least 32” of clear passage as well as wider hallways, and a bath on the main living floor that is large enough for someone with a mobility device or wheelchair to use.

Working with University of Hartford Associate Professor of Architecture James Fuller, the Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living, SILC and Independence Unlimited are sponsors of the 2012 Visitability Home Design Contest. These agencies hope to encourage young architects to utilize their skills in creating home plans that meet all of a family’s needs throughout their lifetime.

The design contest is offering prizes to those students or teams of students that apply the principles of visitability to creative home designs that are also aesthetically pleasing and practical. A plot plan, floor plan and scale model of the final design is required in order to participate in the contest.

Registrations are being accepted until March 23 to participate in the contest, with entries due April 25, 2012. Awards will be presented on June 7, 2012. All participants will receive a certificate.

To register for the contest, please contact Susan Salters at 860.523.5021 ext. 104 or email  ssalters@independenceunlimited.org. You can also contact Associate Professor James Fuller at 860.768.5137 or fuller@hartford.edu.

Independence Unlimited is a non-profit, non-residential center for independent living that helps Connecticut residents with disabilities to live independently in the community. Our goal is to increase the number of homes built with basic, simple accessibility features so people of all ages and abilities can find their place to call home.

For more information, contact Salters at 860.523.5021 ext. 104 or email  ssalters@independenceunlimited.org. You can also follow Independence Unlimited on Facebook.

Source: http://www.hartford.edu/daily/Articles.asp?MainID=12589&Category=1