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Rating: 
Summary: WELL WORTH IT!
Review: Although the book is a little dated (1994) the concepts are great and something anyone building or remodeling a home should consider.
Don't assume your builder already knows how to build for a lifetime.
Rating: 
Summary: The BEST Book ANYONE Can Read Before Building Their Own Home
Review: I got this book because I was planning to build a house which I want to be accessible for future years. This book was really more than I bargained for. I think EVERYONE should read this book before designing their home, even if they think they don't care about needs for future years. One of the best features of this book is that it points out where required accessibilty, or accessibility standards are often completely insufficient--probably because they were developed by able-bodied people. They have now done a lot of research on what gives people trouble, and improvements on the required standards that are far better. This book covers every aspect and room of your home, inside and outside. It is well-written, in plain English, with plenty of pictures and drawings that are EASY to comprehend. This book is expensive, but well-worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Book ANYONE Can Read Before Building Their Own Home
Review: I got this book because I was planning to build a house which I want to be accessible for future years. This book was really more than I bargained for. I think EVERYONE should read this book before designing their home, even if they think they don't care about needs for future years. One of the best features of this book is that it points out where required accessibilty, or accessibility standards are often completely insufficient--probably because they were developed by able-bodied people. They have now done a lot of research on what gives people trouble, and improvements on the required standards that are far better. This book covers every aspect and room of your home, inside and outside. It is well-written, in plain English, with plenty of pictures and drawings that are EASY to comprehend. This book is expensive, but well-worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: Answers question of where do I put..., how high should it be
Review: It really helps to lead you in the design and placement of all items and objects, as well as the general layout of you houseplan, rooms and location of house on lot, to make it more convenient and easier for you to get around no matter what your age, height, or physical strength is. It helps you decide the right height for switches, outlets, windows, etc., where they should be in proximity to doorways, beds, work zones, etc. It also gives a good discussion on types of lighting, why and where each is best suited, types of switches, step heights, ramp heights and lengths, the need for less steps, proposing the need to consider letting mechanical aids do the work rather than tired or frail and aging bodies. Helps lead you to the thoughts of doing your exercise in the gym and not be forced to do it in the house. Gives an excellent discussion of what and how for heating, air conditioning, lighting, everthing that goes into a house. It also gives excellent pointers as to what scales to use in creating your house plan drawings to avoid confusion and mistakes by the builder in implementing your plans. Compares accessible building standards to the currently accepted building standards and provides the reason for the departures from the norm. A lot of information is provided on the methods of testing and developing the standards that this text espouses, sort of like in depth and pragmatic time and motion studies. Much of this can be ignored by the reader, but for the doubters out there it does fully explain and support the standards and approaches provided.
Rating:
Summary: Answers question of where do I put..., how high should it be
Review: The best single volume I've seen on designing a house that works for you (not against you) throughout your lifetime. Excellent information on decline of strength and ability with age, and some excellent ideas on making a "handicapped accessible home" that looks like a thoughtfully designed home instead of a hospital. Plenty of real-life examples, many of them no more costly to implement than the standard US housing market styles, and solid information on remodeling to fit needs. Written for the general public, not specialized professions like architect, contractor, etc., it is readable and practical. It is designed to help you think through the possibilities rather than offering cookbook solutions and plans. It should also be required reading for church building committee members, etc, though not officially addressing churches and other public buildings. Buildings well-designed to meet the needs of people with various disabilities are also well-designed to meet the needs of people without disabilities. This book will help you do just that.
Rating:
Summary: Required reading for home building/remodeling
Review: The best single volume I've seen on designing a house that works for you (not against you) throughout your lifetime. Excellent information on decline of strength and ability with age, and some excellent ideas on making a "handicapped accessible home" that looks like a thoughtfully designed home instead of a hospital. Plenty of real-life examples, many of them no more costly to implement than the standard US housing market styles, and solid information on remodeling to fit needs. Written for the general public, not specialized professions like architect, contractor, etc., it is readable and practical. It is designed to help you think through the possibilities rather than offering cookbook solutions and plans. It should also be required reading for church building committee members, etc, though not officially addressing churches and other public buildings. Buildings well-designed to meet the needs of people with various disabilities are also well-designed to meet the needs of people without disabilities. This book will help you do just that.
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