CUD Past Projects at Center for Universal Design

These are some of the projects completed by the Center for organizations based in NC or locales in NC.

Affordable Universal Housing
	The Center for Universal Design conducted a two-year design and construction program with local Habit for Humanity affiliates to help Habitat produce affordable, universally designed homes. In this project, the Center reviewed and, in consultation with three local Habitat affiliates (Chatham, Orange, and Johnston counties) and consumers, revised their standard house plans; converted the plans to ones that could accommodate households with a disabled family member without sacrificing cost or appearance. The project demonstrated that Habitat can produce universal homes with the added potential of promoting these new design standards to Habitat affiliates statewide and beyond. See the description of the book that resulted from this project: Affordable and Universal Homes: A Plan Book Funding: Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust
Home Modifications
	Safe and Accessible Modifications for Independence (SAMI) — The Center for Universal Design promoted home modifications for low-income, rural adult, and senior North Carolina residents with disabilities. We helped households prevent accidents, live in their homes longer, maintain their health, and improve their quality of life. The project had two goals: Increase the availability of home and farm modifications for low income, elderly and disabled, rural North Carolinians, and those at risk with chronic diseases; and Increase the permanent local and regional expertise in home modifications so that the quality of home modifications increases. Many presentations and training programs were delivered around NC for this. The project served low income and frail elderly and persons with physical disabilities and chronic diseases. Most of these households were either uninsured, underinsured, or Medicaid eligible. Many of these households had not reached or could not be served by the existing formal service network in North Carolina. Funding: Kate B Reynolds Charitable Trust
Universal Hazard Resistant Homes
	This project developed several affordable housing floor plans All the designs involved the unique feature of a “strong” room to provide a safer area in the house to take refuge in during hurricanes and other life threatening storms a major concern in the coastal regions of the eastern United States. The Center integrated universal design principles into the storm safety features. Funding: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Multi-Family Housing
	The Center worked with Wynnefield Properties on several projects to serve as models to other North Carolina affordable housing builders and developers. One of these, the Breckenridge development, includes several features normally not provided in typical multi-family housing projects including a higher percentage of accessible units and several units with roll-in showers and other improved features. Construction plans were reviewed and design recommendations given including several dwelling unit layout revisions. Funding: NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services Section
Manufactured Housing
	The Center for Universal Design, working in concert with The R-Anell Housing Company modified one of the R-Anell standard designs to be “accessible” in response to the specific needs of a particular customer. However, it was realized that there was a need for stock plan options to serve broader markets with an eye toward retirement community developments and work with municipalities and county governments. Based on these goals and a general desire to raise the overall quality of their housing designs the company decided to investigate a Universal Design approach. Center for Universal Design staff working with input from key personnel eventually produced two concept designs, one for their conventional market and another aimed at municipalities and county governments. Funding: National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Post-Occupancy Evaluation
	Kids Together Park. The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), directed by Professor of Landscape Architecture, Robin Moore, in a joint effort with the Center for Universal Design, conducted a post-occupancy evaluation of Kids Together Park in Raleigh. Funding: National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research.