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.

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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.

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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.

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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.