The couple who owned this home had bought it when they were healthy. But the wife was diagnosed with cancer and they both knew she would be in a wheelchair. They loved their mountain lakefront home, but it was impossible to get a wheelchair inside. There was no easy way to add a ramp because the living area was up so high, and the terrain was so steep. The loving husband wanted to make the home enjoyable for his wife, but their budget was very limited. This project was a real challenge. I needed to design a wheelchair access to the living area upstairs, but it could not look like a wheelchair ramp. The roof design of the existing home made it very difficult to make an addition.

I put together a design, and encouraged them to get a rough estimate from a builder before the plans were done. I am so glad they did this because the budget came back too high. I was able to to reduce the budget by changing the plans before they were done.

You can see the new entry in the photos below. She could wheel right over the driveway and inside the new front door. This entry deck has a slight arch to clear the garage door below. Inside the first view she would see is of lots of glass facing the beautiful lake. A new master suite was added on the same level, also facing the lake. When this project was done, she could wheel inside and on the same level get to her kitchen, living room, and master bedroom and bathroom. That is how all homes should be designed.

The first photo shows the house during the beginning of the project. The other three photos show different views of the new entry when the project was almost done.

New Homes I have Designed
Remodeling Projects I have Designed.
My Procedures for Designing and Planning

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Richard C. MacCrea
Home Planner

For a written proposal, including the cost of plans, make a free, no obligation appointment.

Email Richard
P.O. Box 446, Murphy, North Carolina 28906-0446
(828) 837-5787

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Other Pages on this Web Site
The Mountain Home Show, Home Page and Site Map (How to find what you're looking for)
Detailed information about the home show (For guests and exhibitors)
Articles (About designing, building and remodeling a mountain home)
The Mountain Model Home (An experimental home that is extremely energy efficient)
The Mountain Model Cabin (A very small mountain cabin designed to sleep four comfortably)
Construction Diary (The joys and frustrations of building these two model homes)
Home Designing and Planning (How to get great plans for building or remodeling your home)

How to Contact The Mountain Home Show
Email Us (Questions about The Mountain Home Show or Your Mountain Home Project)
The Mountain Home Show, P.O. Box 446, Murphy, North Carolina 28906-0446

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Appreciation......
The Mountain Home Show owes its success to the businesses that participate in the show. They arrange such wonderful exhibits. It is obvious that they take great pride in their work and our show.

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This web site contains information obtained from various sources. The Mountain Home Show is not liable for the accuracy of this information. Please contact the source of this information with your questions.