The Accessible Home - by Deborah Pierce (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities by architect Deborah Pierce is your comprehensive guide to creating a living environment that supports independence and enhances quality of life.

By embracing the concepts in The Accessible Home, you can design a home that not only meets physical needs but also reflects your personal style. Use this approachable book to help make a living space a place of comfort, beauty, and functionality for everyone.

Key Features:

• Universal Design Principles: Go beyond basic modifications like ramps and grab bars. This book introduces you to the principles of universal design, providing a holistic approach to making your home accessible without sacrificing beauty or style. Learn how to create spaces that are functional and pleasing to the eye.

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Pierce expertly guides you through the entire design process--from selecting the right architect to understanding how to implement thoughtful design choices that meet diverse needs. This invaluable advice is applicable whether you're designing a new home or renovating an existing space.

• Inspiring Case Studies: Discover 25 real-life case studies that showcase innovative solutions for accessible living. These examples illustrate that accessibility can be seamlessly integrated into any home, proving that function and aesthetics can coexist harmoniously.

• Empowerment Through Design: The Accessible Home encourages readers to take control of their living spaces. It empowers individuals of all ages and abilities to create environments that promote independence, comfort, and dignity, ultimately restoring the grace of daily living.

• Thoughtful Details Matter: The book emphasizes that the best designs are built in, not tacked on. From selecting the right materials to making strategic layout decisions, every detail plays a crucial role in enhancing accessibility.

Review Quotes

Deborah Pierce tackles the small problems along with the large in her quest to make wonderful places where people with disabilities can live comfortably and safely. Her thoughtful case studies are full of helpful ideas, many of them little things that make a world of difference to a disabled person. More than that, however, she sets her sights on creating houses that are beautiful, comfortable, and convivial for the entire family and their guests. That is one of the most gratifying accomplishments for any architect. I commend her on this insightful book, which will prove useful--and accessible--to the public and professionals alike. --Michael Graves, FAIA

The home of the future will be a place for people of all ages and abilities - designed with transparent functionality and an inviting, universal aesthetic. Until then, "The Accessible Home "stands as the roadmap to the universal home. Deborah Pierce presents an elegant overview of the accessibility basics to show homeowners a menu of options -- urban, suburban and even rural. The book celebrates independence, comfort and graceful living; it empowers people to become involved in the evolution of home design. Sam Maddox, Knowledge Manager, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Deborah Pierce has created an inspired, beautiful, and practical book. "The Accessible Home "will be appreciated by the person/family newly struggling with the realities of changes in her, his, or their abilities as well as the experienced designer needing guidance. I've been reviewing and critiquing books on accessible design for 30 years; this is the most complete home design book I've ever seen. It illustrates the alchemy that occurs in a respectful partnership between designers and their clients. --Elaine Ostroff, Hon. AIA, Founding Director, Institute for Human Centered Design (Adaptive Environments)

Inspiring, visionary, and yet totally down to earth. This is a must-read for anyone designing the home of a lifetime. --Hugh

This book is a gem. It provides an excellent framework for the design of living spaces that accommodate the practical needs of people with various special needs in a dignified, functional and stylish manner. The case studies presented are inspiring examples of how creative, thoughtful design can be both beautiful and empowering for individuals with physical and other limitations. - Eileen Komanecky - Founder, simpleHome, technology resources for smart homes

"The Accessible Home" is a comprehensive approach to designing living spaces for people with disabilities from an individualized perspective. It is especially gratifying to see detailed attention paid to the often misunderstood or overgeneralized needs of active lifestyle wheelchair users. I've been waiting to see a book like this for a long time. -- Tim Gilmer, Editor, "New Mobility "magazine

About the Author

DEBORAH PIERCE, AIA, is founding partner, project architect, and firm manager of Pierce Lamb Architects in Newton, Massachusetts. Architectural accessibility has been a special focus of Deborah's work since the firm's inception. As national chair of the AIA Advisory Group for Small Project Practitioners, she has raised awareness for Universal Design in private residences through the AIA's Small Project Design Awards program and a 2010 National Convention seminar. She is also a frequent lecturer on the hot topic of accessibility.