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This review was sent by Speaker and Author, Kathie Snow,
" I love this book! Mr. Schwab shows that accessibility and beauty can both be achieved without sacrificing either! His universal designed homes enable people with disabilities and their families to live comfortable,safe "first class" lives in beautiful, accessible homes--- just like everybody else"
Kathie Snow Author of:
Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities.
www.disabilityisnatural.com
This review was sent by Rosemarie Rosseetti, Ph.D. Speaker ,Trainer, Consultant and Author of: Take Back Your Life! Regaining your Footing after life Throws You a Curve.
"People in search of housing solutions to enable independence, enhance safety and ensure a design that they can grow old in will appreciate this book. Not only is it a diverse collection of 102 floor plans,but it also is a great overview of the universal design concept. Schwab makes a logical case for universal design, citing studies and statistics about the aging population, as well as people with disabilities. Other housing concepts discussed include green sustainable building practices and healthy home features. Tips to improve indoor air quality are clearly specified. There is also an introduction to the Energy Star rating program. Schwab is a proponent of these housing elements and integrated them in the floor plans and in the narrative sections of the book. This is not just a house plan book,but rather, a resource for anyone wanting to build a sustainable, universal designed home.
Readers will enjoy browsing through the detailed floor plans and viewing the front elevations. Each plan is classified by square footage, width and depth to assist in selecting a home for a particular lot and family size. Ranch style and two story homes are included. Architectural styles include country, colonial, contemporary, Mediteranian, Cape Cod, Tudor and traditional.
This book serves as a good primer for students, builders, remodelers, and home buyers. Schwab pinpoints the features and benefits of each area of the house including front entries, hallways, doors, kitchens, baths, windows, mobility closets (future elevators), storm safe-rooms, outdoor entertaining areas and landscaping, home offices, utility rooms, garages, bedrooms, breezeways and lower levels. Home automation features to enhance security, safety and convenience are also specified. The resource section identifies many other books on universal design as well as experts in this area of study. Organizations that promote universal design , green sustainable building practices and healthy home features are also listed with their contact information, including web sites.
All the best of success to you Mr. Schwab"
Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D.
www.rosemariespeaks.com
This letter comes from Nancy Hitchkock at the Center for Universal Design.
Dear Charles, I was thrilled to arrive at work today and find your copy of the recent edition of Universal designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century in my mail box! I plan to sing its praises to callers looking for UD plans and I'll be sure to tell them how to find you on the internet. Your floor plans have always been great. I love the way you incorporate green and energy efficiency features. I especially like the exterior designs of the homes in this latest edition. I can't wait to pass it around at the staff meeting tomorrow! Thank you for sending it, I know you are going to sell these plan books and plans like hot cakes!
Nancy Hitchcock, Center for Universal Design
www.design.ncsu.edu/cud
This book review from Rex.J Pace at Universal Design Solutions, LLC .
" Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century is a worthy addition to the creative resources available on Universal Design. In fact, it is one of the better house plan books that have been produced. This is in large part due to two reasons, the general design quality of the home plans offered and inclusion of useful information not normally seen in such publications.
The home designs are well laid out with attractive facades and interresting options. It is apparent that a designer worked on these designs as opposed to the "builders" plans often endemic of these kinds of publications. Periodically throughout the plan book are informational sections on important related Universal Design topics. Some of these are what you would expect such as sections on the principles of Universal Design, bathroom & kitchen design, and elevator issues. Others represent important additions that here to fore have not been done, but should be, in Universal Design plan books such as sections on Green Design and safe-room design for refuge from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. These additions are welcomed and offer genuinely useful information to provide truly holistic solutions
Rex Pace Universal Design Solutions L.L.C
Ms. Nancy S. Makay a Universal Design consultant from Erie PA.
" The education and the Universal Design awareness of living in a home for a life time is clearly displayed throughout the plans and explanations in the 3rd edition of Universal Designed Smart homes for the 21st Century by Mr. Schwab. This book is a must for contractors, consultants and home owners who value beautiful and functional homes that enable the entire population to live with ease"
Nancy S. Makay, Universal Design Consultant.
www.universaldesignconsulting.com
Mr.Bill Carl from Marshfield,Wisconsin sends this review:
" Your consideration of barrier free and "green" issues in your designs and plan book is a welcome change to all the "slick" magazine home designs that run contrary to the sustainable, renewable principles I've been looking for"
Bill Carl, Marshfield, WI.
Mary Jo Peterson Inc, NKBA, CAPS, Kitchen bath and UD, author of: Universal Kitchen & Bathroom Planning. sends this review from Brookfield, CT.
Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century is a resource that belongs in the library of every professional and every person planning homes for the way we live today. With a healthy respect for the environment and for the diversity of people living in and visiting a home during it's lifetime, this book offers innovative and creative concepts and products. Way to go Mr. Schwab.
Mary Jo Peterson
www.mjpdesign.com
Cynthia Leibrock, MA, ASID, Hon.IIDA
Easy Access to health, LLC Author of : Beautiful Universal Design and her latest book: Design details for health, sends this from from Livermore Colorado:
"Universal Design is not truly usable by all people unless it is affordable. Over the years I have received so many inquiries about affordable accessible housing, and Mr. Schwabs book, Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century is the definitive source."
Cynthia Leibrock
www.aginggracefully.org
Mr. Walton D. Dutcher Jr. writes from St. Petersburg, Florida:
"I have reviewed the designs and had the pleasure of working with Charles in providing a product that uniquely and specifically embraces Universal Design. As a designer and as a person who uses a wheelchair and, as an advocate who is sensitive to the individual concerns of persons having other types of disabling conditions, these plans and the other information that Charles provides, in my opinion, are truly inclusionary"
Ms. Karla Zervos Founder of Lifespan Home Modifications in Sitka Alaska sends this message.
" This is much more than a book of home plans. It is the first "what AND why" Universal Design home planning primer. Universal Designed "Smart" Homes for the 21st Century, is an informative guide to the essential details necessary to help family members age in place. Concise descriptions of both high and low tech features accompany the floor plans along with reasons to include them into your home. It is a vital tool for home owners who have children with disabilities as well as homeowners planning for a retirement home or their last home. Building professionals working in the Universal Design field will also find this book informative."
Karla Zervos, Lifespan Home Modifications
Louis Tenenbaum, LLC , CAPS, Independent Living Strategist sends this from Potomac Maryland:
"Charles's newest edition of his Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century home plan design book and catalogue is excellent and comprehensive. It is a primer for those who don't know where to begin and contains a plethora of ideas for the devoted. By including Universal Design, energy efficiency and other green issues, it makes the point that homebuilding should include these features to create a successful home. The book makes you think, encourages questions and provides answers. The extensive resources and references sections are also very informative."
Louis Tenenbaum
A customer from New york writes,
"Dear Mr. Schwab , I am looking forward to seeing how a professional Architect handles some of the accessibility problems we are facing in trying to make my Mothers house usable in her declining health.
Thank you also for spending the time on the phone with me the day the article was published in The Wall Street Journal. Having been dealing with the issues of aging and disabilities for a while now, I worry that the design and transportation assumptions built into suburban single family tract house developements that are now being built will not in any way meet the needs of our rapidly graying population. It is comforting to know at least some design professionals are taking a serious look at the issues."
Mr. Gosnell B Duncan at Barrier- Free Homes,LLC from Brooklyn, New York sent this kind note:
"Dear Mr. Schwab, It is my pleasure to have found you! Thanks for listening to what I have to say. Together I hope we can make some difference. Enclosed is my deposit for the 4 home plan designs and 10 books. I look forward to helping you distribute the books . yours truly, Gosnell Duncan , Barrier-Free homes in New York"
Ms. Patricia K. from San Fran. Ca. writes:
"Dear Mr Schwab- This book is wonderful! So many great ideas. I especially liked the features and benefit pages, clearly alot of thoughtful work. I have a friend excited about your plans so I am ordering a second book as a gift. Thanks again."
Patricia K.
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