The homeowner of Muscatine wanted to build a home that was flexible in its utility at her different stages in life, with the ultimate goal of aging-in-place. The interior of the home has spacious rooms with wide hallways and doorways to accommodate future wheelchair access throughout the ground floor. Spacious rooms allow for flexible furniture arrangement to allow the homeowner to create aethetic interest in her space and assure the needs of future homeowners are met, as well. The 641 square foot basement was designed to accommodate two bedrooms and a bathroom if desired by a future homeowner.
The main floor bathroom has ample space to accommodate a wheelchair as well as accessiblity features such as grabbars and seated bathing. The single car garage is attached, but separated from the living space by a vesitibule. Additionally, the mandoor to the garage has a closer and the garage an occupancy controlled exhaust fan - all features to help isolate vehicle fumes from occupied space. Ample storage is provided throughout both units to help make small living approachable but not limiting.
The second floor of the home features a 476 square foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with private enterance. All residential zoning codes in the city of Iowa City permit accessory dwelling units. The ADU is particularly advantageous to the homeowner because it could serve as private lodging for a family member or 24-hour nurse in later years, or as a tenant dwelling providing a secondary source of income to supplement retirement funds and federal Social Security -- allowing residents to maintain financial independence after retirement. Currently, the ADU is being used for the latter.