Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 14, 2018 5:38 pm I’m currently doodling some ideas for a house I would like to build in the future and came across the LHA website. http://www.livablehousingaustralia.org.au/ While I don’t personally need an accessible house, after going through the guidelines, I realised I had already designed in a lot of the Gold standard features in just because I wanted wider doorways, hallways and bigger open spaces, no steps and so on. So my question is does anyone think it’s worth going to the trouble of do it properly and getting certification? What I mean is that if the completed house is ever resold would having the LHA stamp of approval boost the sale price in the market? OR is it extra money out of my pocket for nothing aside from an altruistic giving back to the community kind of thing. At the same time another part of me thinks younger people would not like the idea of living in - what might to them appear to be - a retirement home or anything with an LHA endorsement. I know LHA says the guidelines are not just for the elderly or disabled but oversized toilets (minus the optional handrails) might seem a bit odd and hospital like. Another question if anyone is familiar with the guidelines. It’s not clear to me if 100% of line facilities have to be compliant. That is to say can I have one Platinum grade bathroom and another one just to standard NCC spec and still achieve a Platinum grade on the house? Thanks Re: Any resale value add for Accessibility in design? 2Jul 14, 2018 7:21 pm The population is ageing on average, so going down this road is not a bad thing. You don't have to implement everything or even get the certification now, but you can make provisions in your design. For example, put noggins in the walls for grab rails in the toilets and showers, but don’t install the grab rails, just record their locations for future use. Who knows, if you live there long enough they may be useful for you. Re: Any resale value add for Accessibility in design? 3Jul 14, 2018 7:54 pm Yeah, I'm already basically on-board with the concept of it and for me it is the idea of giving a little back by creating a home that may find extended use for others, or myself If I were to need it in the future like you say. Completely aside from the simple utility I just like elements of it from a design ascetic, for example I feel wide corridors (1200mm in the guidelines) create spaces that are usable for more than just getting between one room and another. Wide passageways are common on Victorian style shotgun houses a place where you can enter the home, collect shoes have coat racks, side tables and artwork down the length of a long hallway. Anyway I've read a little more and think I've answered one of my questions. Specifically for the adapted toilet it's only required on the ground floor. I really wanted to do something like the image below (marked in red) where the door is at the side rather than the end of the room - image from the LHA (Figure 3(a)) However the side door would contradict figure 6(b) that requires structural sheet on both walls extending 1m from the toilet pan. Another thing I'm not clear on is the requirement for 5.a.ii. a minimum 1200mm clear circulation space forward of the toilet pan exclusive of the swing of the door...". To me this would imply you can not include any obstruction, such as a wash basin in that area. This makes the minimum allowable dimensions of a Platnum Level room 0.9x2m without any way to wash ones hands. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ [edit: just adding figure 6(b)] Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ They make the room much easier to clean for one, reflect more light (if light colour tiles are used), and you dont end up with dust on the top edge of tiles (cause most… 3 9591 The last home I lived in didn't have a pool and when i went to sell it the agents were not happy, even telling me to put one in to sell the place. The agents weren't happy… 2 4239 As a tradesmen get a private inspector although I don't think there worth it in their profession themselves the reminder they serve to the tradesmen doing the work is… 3 27358 |