Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Accessibility Meets Contemporary on an Austin Hilltop
Banish all thoughts of sterile schemes. This new build in Texas features universal design in warm, comfortable style
Universal design's purpose is simple: to create a home that anyone can live in comfortably. Often that translates into mental images of ramps and stair lifts awkwardly installed as an afterthought, but this Austin, Texas, house proves that universal design can also mean great design.
The client, Susan Allen, wanted a contemporary but accessible home that she could easily maneuver in her wheelchair. Architect Nicole Blair worked closely with her to build a simple but soothing custom home that would allow her to comfortably live on her own. Allen's illness progressed, and she passed away after a year of living in her new house. But as a testament to her intent for its design, one of her two sons lives in it now. "It's truly universal," Blair says. "Anyone can live here."
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 1,577 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Cost: $280,000 (new build, $175 per square foot), including appliances
The client, Susan Allen, wanted a contemporary but accessible home that she could easily maneuver in her wheelchair. Architect Nicole Blair worked closely with her to build a simple but soothing custom home that would allow her to comfortably live on her own. Allen's illness progressed, and she passed away after a year of living in her new house. But as a testament to her intent for its design, one of her two sons lives in it now. "It's truly universal," Blair says. "Anyone can live here."
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 1,577 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Cost: $280,000 (new build, $175 per square foot), including appliances
The custom house sits on a hilly lot in East Austin that Allen had fallen in love with.
Blair carefully designed around the oak to protect its critical root zone.
Low shelving, a lack of upper cabinetry and 33-inch countertops — designed to accommodate Allen's wheelchair — helped make the unique roofline possible.
The open kitchen makes for easy maneuvering. The spaces under both the sink and stove are open, so Allen could comfortably use each. The lower cabinetry banks are all drawers, which make it easier to access the entire space.
Wall paint: 178 Base 2, eggshell finish, Benjamin Moore
The open kitchen makes for easy maneuvering. The spaces under both the sink and stove are open, so Allen could comfortably use each. The lower cabinetry banks are all drawers, which make it easier to access the entire space.
Wall paint: 178 Base 2, eggshell finish, Benjamin Moore
A built-in bartop, made with the same Caesarstone as the counters, easily fits five people.
Multiple outlets along the stainless steel backsplash make it easy to plug in whatever appliance is needed anywhere. A microwave drawer and an ADA-compliant dishwasher complete the appliance setup.
Pendant: Link Suspension; dishwasher: Tall Tub ADA Compliant Built-In, GE; refrigerator: Whirlpool
Multiple outlets along the stainless steel backsplash make it easy to plug in whatever appliance is needed anywhere. A microwave drawer and an ADA-compliant dishwasher complete the appliance setup.
Pendant: Link Suspension; dishwasher: Tall Tub ADA Compliant Built-In, GE; refrigerator: Whirlpool
Natural light was a big priority, so Blair designed extra-large windows throughout the house.
Because of Allen's sensitivity to chemicals, Blair used VOC-free maple plywood for the cabinetry and installed an electronic air cleaner and filtration system. There's no finish on the concrete; it's simply been buffed to a shine.
Countertop: Caesarstone, Blizzard
Because of Allen's sensitivity to chemicals, Blair used VOC-free maple plywood for the cabinetry and installed an electronic air cleaner and filtration system. There's no finish on the concrete; it's simply been buffed to a shine.
Countertop: Caesarstone, Blizzard
Open shelving in the living room can also serve as a bench.
Sofa: Hepburn, Matthew Hilton for De La Espada; coffee table: Fractured, Matthew Hilton for De La Espada; carpet: Golran; ottoman: Maseko pouf; side table: Mushroom, De La Espada
Sofa: Hepburn, Matthew Hilton for De La Espada; coffee table: Fractured, Matthew Hilton for De La Espada; carpet: Golran; ottoman: Maseko pouf; side table: Mushroom, De La Espada
The screened-in sunroom allows for year-round outdoor enjoyment. No bumpy or stepped thresholds mean smooth transitions between indoors and out.
Chairs: Maia Relax Armchair, Kettal
Chairs: Maia Relax Armchair, Kettal
A slot over the desk puts the daily mail within easy reach — no going outside or picking up mail off the floor.
Office chair: Deer Armchair, Autoban for De La Espada
Office chair: Deer Armchair, Autoban for De La Espada
An open sink at a 33-inch height in the guest bathroom makes it easy to wash up, with or without a wheelchair.
Red tile: recycled glass, Medici Mosaics
Red tile: recycled glass, Medici Mosaics
Although Allen wanted a very simply designed home, the minimalist furniture also serves a practical purpose: Openness makes the room easy to move around in, as do the concrete floors.
Chair: Smoke Chair, Moooi; rug: Golran
Chair: Smoke Chair, Moooi; rug: Golran
The built-in desk and storage space along one side of the master bedroom extend past the pocket doors into the master bathroom.
Blue tile: recycled glass, Medici Mosaics; toilet: Toto S300 Washlet/Bidet Seat; countertop: Caesarstone Blizzard
Blue tile: recycled glass, Medici Mosaics; toilet: Toto S300 Washlet/Bidet Seat; countertop: Caesarstone Blizzard
A walk-in bathtub and shower meant Allen could bathe on her own with ease. The custom bench outside is covered in Caesarstone.
Tub: American Standard Walk-in Bath
Tub: American Standard Walk-in Bath