The story below is from our November/December 2022 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
A retired couple renovates their current home into an oasis ideal for aging in place.
Most homes, however comfortable during earlier stages of life, will require some essential upgrades to best accommodate the golden years. As our bodies age, everyday features like a basement laundry room or second-floor bedroom can become less and less manageable. Should a homeowner require a wheelchair, everything from door widths to counter heights suddenly become a hindrance. This is why it is so common for folks to move in with relatives or into a community care facility when the time comes.
However, those who are able to stay in their homes will embark on a journey called “aging in place,” which is exactly what it sounds like: the process of adapting a home to accommodate the changing needs of its owner later in life. Enjoying the comfort of one’s own home is a privilege and a pleasure, and architects who specialize in making the necessary adjustments for aging in place are essential to a successful project.
After spending a year caring for an elderly relative, Deanna and Ed Gordon of Vinton began considering their home with new eyes. What would they need to change about the layout and features in order to stay in their later years? The couple approached Building Specialists, Inc. when they found themselves thinking about their future.
They’d originally built their house in 1967, and after decades together honing the property, they hope to stay as long as they can. They love their neighborhood, for its proximity to downtown, their families, and their church, but also for the natural surroundings. The property next door has a large pasture with horses, and the purple butterfly bush against their sunroom window flutters with the welcome insects. “It’s beautiful here,” they say.
The Gordons wanted to add a suite to the existing property that they could one day move into when the need arose. “We couldn’t have done it without a good architect,” Deanna says. “We know what we want and they know how to make it all fit.”
The existing home had the laundry unit in the basement and the primary bath on the second floor, so BSI put together a design with the intention of making a fully functional suite that the Gordons could live in on a single level. A new laundry room, the bedroom and bath were all laid out with wide doors and hard floors to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The bathroom has a curbless shower and support bars.
While the design was focused on ADA compliant features, Deanna still had her say on style: “No one wanted me to put pedestal sinks in because they don’t have any storage underneath,” she says. “But I told them I’m too old to go digging to find anything!” They added shelves and cabinet storage next to the sink instead.
The bedroom is accessible by French doors with privacy windows, and the room itself is spacious enough for a wheelchair to maneuver from bed to closet to bath. “We wanted to have windows to the ceiling,” Deanna says, “but age teaches you a few things and no one wants to have to clean anything so high!”
The shades are from Envision in Moneta, and the shutters from Show-Case Shutters in Christiansburg, who could match any color for a seamless design. Deanna also points out the cove lights which she initially hadn’t been very excited about, but has since come around. “They are great for watching TV.” The couple’s files were also moved to the suite for easy access.
The Gordons were initially unsure where the addition might best fit into the existing property, and there were some oddities to consider: The home sits on the cusp of the Roanoke County and Bedford County property lines. BSI scheduled a meeting with Balzer and Associates to talk through all the details, and together they decided to construct the addition between the home and the existing standalone two-car garage. The location wouldn’t take up any space of the existing home, which the Gordons currently use as-is. The existing generator, the power lines coming into the home, and the water line to the well would need to be relocated while the Gordons were still living there, however.
When the couple was initially looking for a property to build on, they chose the Vinton lot after a long hunt. “We always wanted space,” Deanna says, “at least an acre or so.” The lot gave them a gorgeous view, along with a proximity to downtown Vinton and their families. Both locals to the area, they knew they wanted to build their dream home where their roots already grew. They loved their neighborhood, and they’ve enjoyed the years spent surrounded by homes built around the same time. “Though almost everything being built back then was a ranch,” Deanna says. “Our builder was a good friend of Ed’s, and he kept asking us if we were sure we wanted to do stairs. But a two-story was cheaper!”
This streak of pragmatism helped guide the other renovations the home has undergone over the years, including the addition of a full bath, a second garage and a beautiful greenstone sun deck. All of the changes made to the home complemented their interests and lifestyle without taking on extraneous and expensive refurbishments typical to most renovation projects. The kitchen, for example, has remained true to its original layout, though the cabinets and countertops all received upgrades. “It works for us,” Deanna says, commenting that a bigger kitchen just invites people to gather there and get in the way of the cook. “I need my space!”
BSI and the Gordons had complementary mentalities approaching the project. “We encourage our clients to think about adding design features that will not only make their lives more comfortable now, but also allow them to age in place,” says Daniel Hurst, VP/Estimator.
He noticed that the stone patio was accessible by stairs, so with the location and design of the new addition BSI was able to slope a walkway from the new suite down to the level of the patio, making it usable for years to come. The existing garage was also at a lower level than the home, which could become a challenge. The architect positioned a large closet adjacent to the steps from the main level to the garage, sized so that if the need arises, a lift could be installed with relative ease.
Like many retired couples, the Gordons’ home has turned into a busy place to support their interests and hobbies, as well as a site of rest and relaxation. The sunroom displays some of the couple’s art collection as well as Ed’s photography, and the wide doors and hard floors ensure they will be able to enjoy the space for years to come.
The original blueprint included a garage that has been since converted into the couple’s workshop for their shared antiquing hobby. There they store, photograph, and prepare most of the objects they sell online.
“We clean them up,” Deanna says, “and Ed takes the pictures and then we list them.” The antiques are also in the new laundry room in the recently added suite. “They’re everywhere!” Deanna laughs.
With some planning and key thoughtful changes, Deanna and Ed Gordon of Vinton have made their house into their lifelong home.
Contractor: Building Specialists, Inc.
Architect: Balzer and Associates
Addition: 893sf
Existing Garage: 761sf
Existing house: 1238sf
Daniel Hurst, VP/Estimator
Building Specialists, Inc.
The story below is from our November/December 2022 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
