Saturday, August 16, 2008

Master carpenter combines universal design, accessible landscaping

The Ottawa Citizen profiles Scott Puddicombe (pictured with a homeowner left), a master carpenter with an award-winning portfolio of accessible homes.

He strives to make homes that comply with universal design standards but also are beautiful. Puddicombe creates exterior wheelchair access through landscaping, which he says adds value to a home.

He explains in the story: "Visually, landscaped pathways that are curved and sloped gradually along the rising ground have a beautifying effect. This not only increases the resale value of a home, but eliminates any sign of vulnerability in terms of home security. In the long run, it's also less expensive to maintain than a wooden ramp because it's more durable and doesn't shift or require railings to reduce the risk of falling."