“The renovations have made everything so much better. On top of it all, it looks beautiful, and it makes you feel proud when you’re living in a nice-looking place.”-Shannon, resident
2022 Industry Partner Award
in partnership with Alliance for Building Communities
-AIA Eastern PA
4/4 FAST FACTS
| Project Type: | Interior Alterations for Accessibility |
| Use: | Attainable Housing |
| Location: | Slatington, PA |
| Team: | Alliance for Building Communities (owner), Barry Isett & Associates (engineer), Mohawk Contracting and Development |
Alliance for Building Communities (ABC), a non-profit organization providing affordable housing for low-income families and senior citizens in Northeastern Pennsylvania, initiated an accessible design project at Mountain View Apartments after receiving a Community Development Block Grant. The goal was to improve tenant spaces to maximize residents’ safety, mobility, and independence.
The Mountain View Apartments complex includes 44 one-bedroom, one-bathroom units. ABC identified two tenants with the greatest need for accessibility improvements and partnered with 4/4 Architecture to design renovations that would accommodate a range of physical needs while remaining cost-effective and code-compliant.
Challenges and Requirements
- Accessibility limitations: Existing units had narrow doorways, limited maneuvering space, and inaccessible kitchens and bathrooms.
- ADA compliance: Ensure renovations aligned with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
- Space constraints: Maintain existing unit footprints while improving usability.
- Budget limitations: Complete meaningful upgrades within the constraints of grant funding.
- Tenant-specific needs: Address mobility challenges for residents using walkers and wheelchairs.
One resident, Videira, had her hardware replaced on her entry door, and opened space up for better clearance space for the door. While Videira uses this newfound space to store his walker, other residents can leverage this area as a creative and welcoming entry nook to hang seasonal decorations, coats, and hats.
APPROACH
- Tenant-centered design: Conducted interviews and walkthroughs to understand residents’ daily challenges.
- Collaborative planning: Worked with engineers at Barry Isett & Associates to develop renovation options.
- Flexible design solutions: Created multiple floor plan options with varying levels of modification.
- Code-compliant strategy: Ensured all selected designs met accessibility standards while remaining cost-effective.
- Iterative decision-making: Engaged tenants in selecting design options that best suited their needs.
The renovated kitchen space includes updated floors and cabinets. The counter and cabinets were lowered. A cut out under the sink allows for accessibility. The upper cabinets were made taller and included hardware to make them more accessible, even from a seated position. While not required by ADA, the design replaced lower cabinets with drawers and a corner cabinet with a turntable Lazy Susan.
RESULTS
- Improved accessibility: Residents can now safely and independently navigate their living spaces.
- Bathroom upgrades: Installed walk-in showers with bench, grab bars, and appropriate clear-floor space for safe maneuvering.
- Enhanced quality of life: Daily activities such as cooking and personal care are now manageable.
- Cost-effective execution: Completed within grant funding while maximizing impact.
- Tenant satisfaction: Residents reported increased comfort, usability, and pride in their homes.
Want to learn more about Mountain View Apartments? Read our blog post linked above for more details, plus perspectives from the client and project team.
