Long-term livability
In this home for two architects, design for aging-in-place and low lifetime costs aligned naturally with sustainability measures, leading to LEED Platinum certification.
Problem
Two architects set out to design their own house with a focus on aging-in-place, good passive design, and minimal long-term costs.
Built on a south-facing hill, the home’s generous southern windows and deep overhangs provide passive solar heating. Aging-in-place features include a master suite on the main floor, a potential future caregiver suite on the lower level, and numerous details to accommodate elderly needs and anticipate future accessibility concerns.
To reduce long-term ongoing costs, the owners sought to minimize utility bills through energy- and water-efficient design, and to take advantage of Cincinnati’s property tax abatement for LEED certified buildings.
