The Four Principles of FlexHousing™
FlexHousing is the best of everything we know about housing — under one roof.
Any home can be a FlexHouse — a suburban bungalow, high-rise condominium or infill townhouse. FlexHousing™ is simply an approach to designing and building homes based on the principles of :
In the past, homebuyers — particularly those planning a family — either bought a larger home than they needed so they could grow into it or looked for a new home every time their housing requirements changed.
Because the FlexHouse adapts easily to meet changing needs, it alters that pattern. FlexHousing™ design makes it possible for the house to change as the owners' wants and needs change.
In a house designed on FlexHousing™ principles, space can be arranged and re-arranged to meet future needs without expensive retrofits and renovations. Designing a FlexHouse involves anticipating possible uses for rooms, potential traffic flow and future requirements.
Adaptability
Adaptability means designing a home for a variety of possible arrangements. For example:
- Designing an attic to allow for conversion to an apartment by roughing-in bathroom or kitchen plumbing at the time of construction.
- Reinforcing bathroom walls during construction to allow for the installation of grab bars.
- Installing modular kitchen counters and cabinets that can be adjusted vertically on brackets or that can have sections either inserted or removed below countertops.
Building such features into a new home during initial construction saves time, money and inconvenience when changes are needed or desired down the road.
With FlexHousing™, prospective buyers get many homes in one. Through adaptable features such as convertible rooms or pre-designing for external additions, occupants can create a home that's right for today and tomorrow without the troubles and expense of conventional renovation.
In the end, the adaptable nature of FlexHousing™ makes it possible to create "housing for life".
Accessibility
The FlexHousing™ concept is user-friendly and its features add convenience and practicality to the functions of a home. For example:
- Wider than usual doorways allow for greater access whether for moving furniture, carrying an armful of groceries or allowing mobility for a wheelchair or walker.
- A bathtub with free space along its entire length provides for ease of access, not to mention being less awkward to clean.
- On grade access provides a convenient and safe entrance to the home.
A fundamental consideration of FlexHousing™ is the reduction of potential hazards. Examples include:
- Non-slip flooring in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Handrails that start before the top of the stairs and end just past the bottom to provide guidance and support.
- Side-opening wall oven reduces risk of burns and injury
Security is a basic element of design and construction in FlexHousing™ — not an afterthought. Pre-wiring for the installation of an alarm or surveillance system makes it easy for homeowners to take measures they need to feel secure. Strong, easy-to-use locks and latches are standard FlexHousing™ features.
Affordability
Although the initial cost of a FlexHouse is slightly more than a conventional home, FlexHousing™ features recover their investment over the long-term because pre-engineered features allow for easy and inexpensive change and renovation. In addition, staying in a FlexHouse avoids the significant costs of moving.
FlexHousing™ is the design of living spaces that do not become obsolete. In a FlexHouse, buyers purchase a home that provides the space required today, with the option of adapting it later if their needs change.
Because a FlexHouse offers more potential and comfort than a conventional home, it is desirable to consumers. This makes for a superior long-term investment. The quality of the features, the attention to detail and the ability to become exactly what a homeowner wants and needs increases the curb appeal and resale value of a FlexHouse.
Healthy Housing™
The fourth principal of FlexHousing™ incorporates the concept of Healthy Housing™. The integration of healthy building materials and innovative housing technology protects the health of the occupants and the environment. There are four predominant features of a Healthy House:
Occupant Health: Healthy Housing™ uses low-emission building materials, finishes and flooring to help keep indoor air healthy and fresh.
Energy Efficiency: Healthy Housing™ uses integrated and properly sized heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to get the greatest energy efficiency possible.
Resource Efficiency: Healthy Housing™ uses long-lasting, environmentally appropriate building materials. Resource-efficient landscaping techniques help to conserve water and reduce maintenance for homeowners.
Environmental Impact: In addition to using alternative water and wastewater systems where practical, Healthy Housing™ communities promote transportation patterns that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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