Making Your Home Work Better – How a Universal Design Expert Remodels Spaces To Make Them More Accessible

Welcome to Accessible Housing Matters!

 

In today’s episode, I welcome Alisa Hofmann 

 

Alisa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Interior Design and Architecture from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and has been designing kitchens and baths since the year 2000. She founded Design Set Match in 2010 in the middle of the recession and it was through her passion for remodeling and previously formed business relationships that the company took hold and grew. 

 

Alisa is active in several trade associations and participates in additional courses to maintain her certification status. She is a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD), a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), and a Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP), and a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP). She has been honored to be the President of the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (SFBANARI) 2018-2020 and is a New National Board member and Chair of the Bylaws and Ethics Committee of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

 

Listen to find out more about:

 

[00:01 - 02:13] Opening Segment

I welcome Alisa Hofmann to the Show Bio Alisa talks about their ‘Do with You Model’

 

[02:14 - 10:04] Making Your Home Work Better

Alisa versus architects “We use 3D modeling!” Staying within the footprint of an existing building Making interior design more accessible for people Meeting ADA Why ADA is a common misconception Why accessibility goes beyond anyone’s age What is universal design? “It works for everybody of every ability.” The Fallback Should be Universal Alisa shares her thoughts on accessibility standards

 

[10:05 - 28:39] Universal Design Expert Remodels Spaces

Alisa’s unique approach compared to the typical designer Different types of faucets What is a cross handle? New touchless models and tap models Design and remodeling costs “A lot is relative.” Universal design ideas Where do you have your dishwashers? More lighting! Different level countertops Alisa’s Client Experience Story Why you should consider getting a grab bar Don’t ever use a suction cup grab bar! How Alisa came to her interest in universal design concepts in interior design

 

 [28:40 - 30:37] Closing Segment

See the links below to know more about Alisa Hofmann Final word

Tweetable Quote/s:

 

“Different types of challenges are just as unique as everybody's fingerprint, right?” - Alisa Hofmann

 

“Making things accessible has nothing to do with people's age.” - Alisa Hofmann

 

“Let's think universally, let's make sure we're inclusive in our language as well as the way that we do the design.” - Alisa Hofmann

 

You can connect with Alisa through [email protected] or LinkedIn.  Visit their website https://designsetmatch.com/ and design the interior of your home for accessibility as early as now!

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Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going. I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind, and get your feedback about the show. Contact me directly at [email protected] to share your thoughts or arrange a call.