Customer Reviews

The Accessible Housing Design File

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The publication date of this book - 1991 - gave me pause; building codes and ideas about accessible design have progressed significantly over the last 20 years. However, it has exceeded my expectations, and I have no doubt that it will be very useful to the interior design students served by my library.

As stated in the Introduction, "The Design File is a 'how-to' manual for those interested in pursuing the ambitious and worthwhile goal of universal usability... Each chapter offers design solutions which are clearly illustrated, extensively dimensioned, and accompanied by jargon-free explanations of why certain features are necessary to people with various levels of physical ability."

Each chapter focuses on an element of the home: vehicular transportation and parking, entrances and site design, doors and doorways, windows, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Although the explanations, drawings and diagrams are detailed, they illustrate principles of accessibility and usability that do not change over time, so every page is as relevant today as it was in 1991.

The focus of this book is on housing, but many of the principles apply equally to public space. This is an essential volume for any collection supporting interior designers, architects and planners.

This book is a great resource guide for information and illustrations regarding retrofitting a home to be more accessible to people with disabilities or for those that want to age-at-home.

This is an excellent, easy to read book with large print and good drawings. It covers all aspects in detail. If you want to remodel or build this book will tell you in very easy to understand language what to do.