Photo source: South Okanagan Modular Homes
For those of you who may live in modular or manufactured (mobile) homes, or are in the market for one, you can now get them all with universal/visitable design features such as level entries, wider hallways, lever handles, larger doorways, varying height kitchen counters, curbless showers, knee spaces at vanities, anti-scald controls, handheld showers, grab bars and blocking for them, extra space to maneuver in kitchens and baths, task lighting for various task including cooking, and easy to reach thermostats.
Who knew?
It doesn’t look as if they offer knee space for a wheelchair in the kitchen, 48″ electric outlets and light switches, adjustable height cooktops and sinks, pull-down upper shelves, etc., all of which are important for accessible design for someone in a wheelchair, or particularly short, but perhaps they can be added, or are on the drawing board for the future. This is certainly an excellent start, though, and some of these elements could probably be retrofitted after purchase, if need be.
And yes, the cute little cottage above is actually a mobile home, believe it or not – a double-wide. The kitchen below is also in one, although it clearly doesn’t show all of the universal design features. Click on the images to go to their photo gallery if you want to see more examples, or images of their modular homes.
Some manufacturers also offer high end finishes such as granite and marble, so you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice luxury just because you buy a home at this price point. I was in some mobile homes in my paramedic days that were nicer than many regular homes I’ve seen. Some also offer triple-wide homes, although I have no idea what universal design elements might be available.
Photo source: South Okanagan Modular Homes
Note: This is not an endorsement for this manufacturer, as I know nothing else about them. I’m just very interested that universal design features are now available for this kind of housing, and it’s likely that other manufacturers will follow suit, if they haven’t already.
I also don’t know if they offer formaldehyde-free homes, or if any manufacturer does. Formaldehyde at least used to be a major component in manufactured homes, so this very ungreen element could be an issue for a lot of people, both for those who are chemically sensitive, as well as those for whom green construction is a priority. Whether or not it would offset the advantages of the more universal design, if this chemical is still prevalent, would have to be an individual decision, although I certainly hope that these manufacturers are moving in this direction, as it’s the environmentally responsible thing to do.
Photo source: South Okanagan Modular Homes
Mobile homes have come a long way!! It’s great to see that so many great features are available in lower priced homes now.
Uh-oh, looks like we’re going to have to have an Olympic smackdown!! 😉
Kelly
Yes, it is a really nice thing to see, isn’t it?
As to the Olympics, let’s just say, may the better teams win ;->
Wendy
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner.
How about looking at conventional homes?
The State of California released a study on December 15, 2009 showing that nearly ALL homes (98%) have fomaldehyde concentration higher than their recommendation.
Green homes and energy efficient homes tend to have higher formaldehyde concentration than standard homes of the same vintage. The more you seal a home to save energy the less air exchanges that home has resulting in less dilution of the pollutant be it formaldehyde or some other chemcial.
Green does NOT mean healthy for the occupants.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
You’re more than welcome, Blogging Expert!
Hi, good comment. I look forward to your next post. Thank you, Jane
I am a student and i found your information on the site very useful for my study, Please keep it up.
Adding a bit more details on the topic would attract more readers. I think you are on a good start
As Rish wrote “Green homes and energy efficient homes tend to have higher formaldehyde concentration than standard homes of the same vintage.” I think so, but not at all because of the level of formaldehyde caused from incomplete ventilation system inside home.
“Inadequate ventilation causes formaldehyde to concentrate inside homes. All homes in the study had unsafe levels of formaldehyde.” (from: http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/12/16/unsafe-levels-of-formaldehyde-in-new-homes/)
Custom modular homes has completed in controlled environment 90-95% before truck to foundation. It reasonable save cost, time and raw materials than traditional homes.
Why modular home is green?
http://www.lifesbox.com – Custom modular home manufacturer, Thailand