Accessibility Portfolio

Cornerstone Design Inc has worked extensively on accessibility issues, alone and in partnership with the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living. Principal David Esau worked with the AACIL to set up its ADA in Action consulting service, for which he has conducted accessibility reviews of over 200 government and business buildings and facilities. We have also worked on the AACIL’s offices multiple times. For more on our extensive work on accessible residences, check out our sister company, Michigan Accessible Homes.

Friends Church

The Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House aims to be an open and welcoming group, but its building lacked barrier free access for people with disabilities. The expansion provided a new entrance with an elevator for access to both the main and lower levels, along with an accessible restroom and an extra meeting room. The expansion materials were selected to coordinate with the existing building design, and to meet the owner’s limited budget.

Whitmore Lake House

This family had a tiny house with a beautiful view of Whitmore Lake, and enjoyed boating and other recreational activities prior to a motorcycle accident. Due to the size of the house, it was a poor candidate for renovation, and a new fully accessible home was designed and constructed for them. The main challenge was the slope of the lot, from the street down to the lake. A residential elevator was provided from the main level down to a walk-out basement for access to the lakefront. A built up walk provides a no-step entry to the front door, with a wood boardwalk providing emergency egress from the master suite. The house includes a fully accessible kitchen and master suite.

Chelsea House

This project involved design of a new fully-accessible home for a sloping site north of Chelsea. The owner had extensive design, energy, and cost goals to integrate with the family’s accessibility needs.

Taylor House

This project involved additions and renovations, to make an existing bungalow accessible for a family after the son was involved in an auto accident. A major addition provided an accessible bedroom and bathroom for the son, as well as a new adjoining master suite for the parents that provide his care, with a bedroom for the daughter in the upper level. The main addition also included a garage designed for a raised, lift-equipped van, and a laundry designed as a tornado shelter per FEMA recommendations. A smaller addition to the dining room allows the son to share meals with his family, with a deck and ramp providing access to the back yard.

Ready to connect with CDI?

Visit

Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Entrance is at north end of parking lot off Abbott and Shelby.

Email

David Esau, AIA, President: desau@cdiarchitects.com

Call

734-663-7580