The Accessible Home - by Deborah Pierce (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

The definitive guide to Universal Design. Create beautiful, comfortable, and functional spaces that are safe and accommodating for every person, regardless of age, ability, or life stage.

A truly great home is one that adapts as life changes. The Accessible Home moves beyond basic compliance to embrace Universal Design--a philosophy that results in seamless spaces easier to navigate and more enjoyable for everyone.

This comprehensive resource is essential for anyone planning a renovation, building a new home, or committed to allowing loved ones to comfortably "age in place."

This book provides the practical, detailed guidance necessary to make your home function efficiently for maximum independence. It covers:

• Whole-House Mobility: Expert strategies for optimizing layouts, floor transitions, and circulation paths, including essential information on ramp placement, stair lifts, and appropriate door widths.
• Key Room Functionality: Detailed plans for creating truly accessible kitchens and bathrooms, including specialized fixtures, adjustable-height counters, roll-in showers, and easy-access storage solutions.
• Aesthetic Integration: Techniques for incorporating necessary features--such as grab bars, accessible hardware, and lighting controls--so they blend beautifully and enhance the overall design of your home.
• Long-Term Value: Guidance on smart home technology integration and making cost-effective choices that ensure your home provides lasting independence and adaptability.

This is the essential resource for architects, designers, builders, and homeowners committed to building a safe, stylish environment that lasts as long as you plan to live in it.

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 an award-winning architect, author, and recognized authority on Universal Design and residential accessibility. Her work is dedicated to creating beautiful, highly functional, and adaptable homes that meet the needs of people across all ages and abilities.

• Architectural Expertise: A principal architect based in Newton, Massachusetts, Pierce specializes in residential design and renovation, with a particular focus on helping clients successfully "age in place." She is known for her innovative approach to seamlessly integrating accessibility features into stylish, non-institutional-looking homes.
• Literary Authority: She is the celebrated author of the comprehensive guide, The Accessible Home: Designing for All Ages and Abilities, which serves as a definitive resource for homeowners, designers, and builders seeking practical, detailed solutions for barrier-free living.
• Media and Education: Her expertise and projects have been featured in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe and Fine Homebuilding. She is a champion of the philosophy that good design must be inclusive design, adding value, safety, and independence to any residence.

Through her practice and her writing, Deborah Pierce empowers individuals and families to take control of their environment, ensuring their homes can comfortably evolve with their needs over time.