After the Marshall Wildfire destroyed the Living in Place Institute Idea Home, its president and founder, Louie Delaware, immediately looked to rebuild. Not only because it was his family residence, but also to advance the mission of the LIPI with the latest technology and living in place design thinking.
“As I teach what should be done to design and build accessible, healthy and safe buildings, I wanted to incorporate many of the features and concepts that are presented in the Certified Living In Place Professional training program into the Living In Place Institute Idea Home,” said Delaware, who estimates there are almost 450 living-in-place features in the entire project.
Sizing the Bath Suite
Working with NKBA member Barbara Barton, CMKBD, CLIPP and interior designer Colleen Johnson, ASID, CAPS, Delaware developed a suite of spaces for the primary bath. The bathroom proper measures 14ft x 11ft 6in, the toilet enclosure is 8ft 8in x 5ft 4in, and the walk-in closet that is connected to one end of the bath is 7ft x 18ft with a side area that is 6ft 8in x 7ft 7in. These dimensions ensure ample room to move; all pathways are greater than 42in wide.
The roll-in shower boasts three water features – a rain head, body sprays and a detachable shower wand – along with a heated floor and built-in bench. This warming element provides comfort for all, especially for individuals with peripheral neuropathy who experience cool surfaces as if they are stepping or sitting on pins and needles.
Delaware singles out his favorite feature of the living in place design: “The body sprays along with the steam shower that includes aromatherapy. It helps by not only creating a soothing environment after a busy day or tough workout, but it also helps with any sinus or body issue we might have.” He points out that the aromatherapy helps stimulate the olfactory system, which is linked to the brain’s limbic system, which is an area that influences memory, emotions and moods.
The new bathroom epitomizes the objectives of an attractive, beautiful forever home that is be accessible, healthy, safe and easy to use for all phases of life.
Sources for Living in Place Design
PRIMARY BATHROOM Design: Barbara Barton CMKBD, CLIPP & Colleen Johnson, Allied ASID, CAPS & Louie Delaware BSME, MBA, CLIPP; Photography: Scott Hasson Photography; Cabinets: Tharp Fine Cabinetry; Cabinet Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander; Countertops: MSI; Door Hardware: Emtek; Faucets, Shower Fittings, Tub Filler, Steam Shower: Brizo; Fireplace: Montego; Grab Bars: Seachrome; Heated Floors: SunTouch; Lighting: Tresco, Lotus, Terracotta Designs; Medicine Cabinets, Mirrors: Robern; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; Shower Pan, Drain: QuickDrain; Sinks, Toilets, Bidet Seats: TOTO; Tub: HydroSystems; Ventilation: Panasonic; Shower Glass: Denver Glass LAUNDRY Appliances: LG; Cabinets: Tharp Fine Cabinetry; Cabinet Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander; Cabinet Inserts: Rev-A-Shelf; Countertops: MSI; Faucets: Delta; Flooring: Evoke; Lighting: Tresco, Lotus; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; Sinks: Elkay; Ventilation: Panasonic
