Two universal apartment designs were recently recognized in the Richelieu Awards for New Designers in Montreal, Canada. The contest challenges young professionals to create a versatile living space in a 450-square-foot micro-condo that meets universal design accessibility standards for people with reduced mobility.
The adaptable spaces include functional pieces, such as kitchen tables on wheels and Murphy beds.
Vincent Salandro of MFE sister brand REMODELING details the features of the winning designs, from Andréa Jacques, Gil Hardy-Groleau, and Charles Laurence Proulx.
- A kitchen table on wheels allows the unit to serve multiple purposes.
- A Murphy bed, when closed, converts to an office space.
- The bathroom's vanity sink has an easy-grip faucet handle; an adapted, walk-in glass shower; and a 17-inch-high toilet.
- Storage units feature tip-on openings and sliding drawers rather than doors to allow access for people with reduced mobility.
- A flexible bathroom partition, as opposed to a door, separates the adapted bathroom from the rest of the condo.
- The utilization of a simple hanging system for storage and workspaces, enabling the adjustment of surface heights as needed by potential residents.
