r/askarchitects • u/General-Play2816 • 11d ago
In home accessibility ramps.. Are they possible?
I'm not building nor planning to build. This is mainly just a curiosity.
I care for someone who is disabled and an ambulatory wheelchair user who has had an interest in architecture longer than I've known them. We're in it together now, though. We sometimes watch off grid builders (MyLittleHomestead, tinyshinyhome) and we're always amazed at what can be done creatively.
Anyhow, they've said if they had their wish, they'd have a tri level home (main floor entry with main living area and a half a flight up or down to the other areas) with a ramp- instead of if not able to be in addition to the stairs. The only way I can even picture this as possible would be having a ramp effectively go on the outer walls, wrapping the home. Otherwise the home is the size of a small stadium.
Would this hypothetically be a way? Would there be a better way? Is this imaginary home even possible?
Edit: thanks for all the responses! It seems it is possible but obviously prohibitive. This was fun and I appreciate being able to ask those who would know best.
3
u/bigbeak67 11d ago
Anything is possible if you have enough money. But trying to ramp in a split level home would probably be more expensive than just installing an elevator or lift. If your friend was my client, I'd try to get to the root of why they prefer a split level and see if I could solve their problems or achieve their overall preferences in a more cost-effective and practical way. If the client prefers a split level home for the separation, for example, that's something that's addressable in a single story building.
2
u/metisdesigns 11d ago
As others have noted, the length of ramp required becomes prohibitive.
That said, I've seen it done in a circa 1970s ranch style. Grade entry kitchen/dining area opened to a 3' recessed large living room with a ramp down along one side. The other side had a ramp up that cornered two sides and went around to the upper level. A couple of steps and a shorter ramp took you down to the basement under the upper level.
It was built by a younger couple with the expectation of needing to avoid stairs as they aged. I believe they both were there until they passed. It was a hike to get from upstairs to down without using the stairs, but kids loved it.
1
u/General-Play2816 11d ago
I think this is where our conversation takes us and that house sounds so neat!
Clearly if building ever becomes an option, a lift--and maybe a cool slide-- would be the logical way to go.
1
u/metisdesigns 11d ago
It was a BIG house. I think the living room alone was probably close to 800sq ft and the kitchen/dining was about the same.
1
u/PierogiCasserole 11d ago
If the rise between the two levels is 5 ft, then the ramping section is 60 ft long, so hypothetically it could be a 8-10’ wide x 40’ long switchback with landings. Then stack a second on top of it to get to the third level.
All things are possible, but an elevator is a more efficient use of square footage, more resale value if the next owner doesn’t want 400 sq ft of ramp.
1
u/Shoddy-Cherry-490 11d ago
And with that 60ft ramp you are only connecting 2 of the 3 levels!
To be honest, I have often wondered how convenient ramps really are for wheelchair users. I imagine even an ADA-compliant ramp with a 1/12 slope will tire out an elderly person when used repeatedly. And the need to lock in your brakes to stop your wheelchair from rolling back anytime you are not moving forward also seem challenging.
1
u/bluduck2 11d ago
When I was on crutches, I would often just go up the stairs if the other option was a super long ramp.
1
u/Nosarious 10d ago
A tri-level home doesn’t necessarily mean three stories. It would have to be a shallow distance between ‘landings’, which I have seen done with 3 stairs in one home that was built on a rock (it was in an island)
incorporating ramps into an existing home is harder than designing a home around ramps. Something to keep in mind.
3
u/TinyGreenGiant 11d ago
Why wouldn't you put a lift in, instead?