Landscape Modification: an alternative to residential access ramps and lifts

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Authors Bridge, C., Carnemolla, P.
Published 11th July 2014
Audience Consumers, Government/NGOs/Peaks, Industry, Librarians/Researchers/Students
ISBN 978-0-7334-30

Background: People with mobility limitations might have difficulty accessing different parts of their homes, especially the entrance. There are a number of solutions providing accessible entry to the home with the most common being ramps and lifts.

Objective: This publication aims to determine whether landscape modifications can be an alternative to ramps and lifts for providing an accessible entry to a home. The advantages and disadvantages of this type of home modification are examined.

Results: This study demonstrates that where landscape modification is considered a technically feasible access solution, it provides immediate access between garden path and front door, it can be designed to sensitively blend with existing architecture, thereby maintaining perceived house values and masking perceptions of vulnerability. Moreover, at the time of modification, accessible design features can be applied throughout an entire site, enabling a holistic approach to access from street to front door and throughout a garden.

Audience: This HMinfo publication is addressed to academics and professionals.

Publication History

1^st edition Landscape Modification: an alternative to residential access ramps and lifts by Phillippa Carnemolla and Catherine Bridge, March  2012.  Reprinted July 2014.

Table of Contents

• Publication History
• Contribution of Authors
• Acknowledgements
• Liability Statement
• Reproduction of material
• Glossary
• Executive Summary
  • Project Aims
  • Overview of Results
  • Conclusion
• Introduction
• Aims
• Problem Statements
• Research Methodology
  • Literature Review
  • Analysis
  • Case Study Approach
  • Scope of Work
  • Limitations
• Foundations for accessible landscape solutions
• Modification and Redesign Approach
• Landscape Assessment and Classification
• The Residential Landscape
  • The home entrance
  • The front garden
• Landscape theory and landscape modification for accessibility
  • Benefits of a landscape modification approach
  • Issues with Existing Approaches
  • Limitations of a landscape modification approach
• Reference Guide – assessing for and modifying accessible landscape entrances
  • Stage 1: Site Assessment
  • Stage 2: Accessible Built Environment Elements
  • Space
    • Inclusive garden design elements
  • Links: Walkways
  • Access – threshold entrance design
    • Providing vehicle and parking access
    • Weather Protection
    • Turning area and door access
  • Elements that can support accessibility
• Retrofitting accessible landscapes
  • Case-Study Examples
  • Australian Residential Architecture Types
  • Selection criteria for housing styles
    • Final selection of housing styles
    • How the Cases are documented
  • Case 1: Interwar Californian Bungalow
  • Case 2: Strata Title Block
  • Case 3: Queenslander
    • Overview of Case Studies
    • Results
• Conclusion
• Further Research
• References
• Appendices
• A: Literature Search Strategy
• B: Planting Guide for access and enablement
  • Plants and accessibility
    • Accessible Garden elements
    • Planting Schemes
• C: Australian and International Legislative Context