As Americans age, our lifestyles require a wide array of accommodations from our surroundings.  With the oldest of nearly 80 million Baby Boomers turning 62 in 2008, perhaps no aspect of our lives needs to more specifically account for aging than the configuration of our homes.  The best point in the home building process to account for the special needs of aging is during the design phase.  This design theme, called “visitability”, is increasingly a consideration regardless of a buyer’s age.  In the future, particularly in Georgia, visitability could become more than a logical approach to custom home design, it may become law for new homes.

 Many of Artisan Custom Estates’ clients are Baby Boomers seeking to create a home within which they will spend a huge percentage of the balance of their lives as they seek to live independently as long as possible.  While Artisan’s clients run the gambit from young professionals and pro athletes to aging seniors, a common client profile is a familiar American story: empty nesters with the need to accommodate both a large number of visitors (i.e. grandkids) and aging parents. 

To our clients who fit this Boomer profile, visitability is a necessity and Artisan Custom Estates works closely with clients to include these design features from the very beginning.  Some specific design considerations to maximize visitability include:

• Zero step entry at one (at least) of the entrances to the home
• Wide doorways and shower entries to accommodate wheelchairs
• Light switches and electrical outlets at wheelchair level
• Reinforced bathroom walls to support grab bars
• Lever door handles rather than doorknobs

These simple features can usually be included in a custom designed home for as little as $200 to $1,000.  Another important general consideration is bathroom access on the main entry level, but due to the average price point of Artisan Custom Estates’ projects this is assumed.  Many clients also seek to design elevators into custom homes and others want single-level floor plans.  Bottomline: clients simply want to know that they can invite anyone to their home and make any guest comfortable.

Artisan Custom Estates works closely with clients to capture their vision for their ideal custom home.  Far more than a builder, we provide a full array of project management and planning resources to bring that vision to reality.  Contact Artisan Custom Estates for a free consultation at info@artisancustomestates.com or 404.386.4731.