On November 18th, the Home Builders and Association of Connecticut, hosted the 2014 HOBI awards. Elevator Service Company, being winners of previous awards: 2012 Best New Construction Technology, and 2012 Best Optional Upgrade, we were of course, in attendance. Although we did not receive any awards this year, we did receive and unexpected bonus. Elevator Service Company and one of our contracted projects was a focus feature article in the 2014 Fall edition of the triennial Connecticut Builder Magazine.

The article focuses on two features. One, the need for Universal Design in modern home building, and two, how some builders are achieving that need.

Universal Design, is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. An in-home elevator is an answer to the need for Universal Design in the changing landscape of home building.

At one time, an in-home elevator was considered a luxury amenity. But as the need for homes to fit so many different requirements, for so many different lifestyles, an in-home elevator has become a necessity. “The high cost of land and the desire for more special purpose living space, has pressured builders to finish the basements and attics in new and remodeled homes. At the same time, accessibility and aging in place features are increasingly expected, and require builders to make their homes usable by everyone, regardless of their age or ability.” An in-home elevator covers all of these challenges.

The project, Deer Valley North in Ellington, CT, shows how the builder, Santini Homes, uses in-home elevators to fulfill the need for Universal Design. Santini Homes chose the Symmetry hydraulic, which us at Elevator Service Company, represent. The lifts, 10 units in total, fit the specification of all the new elements for homebuilding, and then some. Offering the quietest, smoothest ride possible, the units run from the basement level to the second floor.

As builders face more and more challenges, companies will need to rise to the occasion to over come them. You can be that Elevator Service Company will be there to help companies, customers, and consumers rise.

For more on the Connecticut Builder Magazine, click here.
For more on Deer Valley Homes, click here.
For more on Santini Homes, click here.