Redefining Housing: Accessibility Meets Sustainability

In the current American housing market, there are major gaps in inclusivity, health and safety, and environmental responsibility. Despite an increase in awareness, most homes are not designed with disabled or immunocompromised individuals in mind. Wheelchair users struggle to navigate through narrow hallways and inaccessible bathrooms, while individuals with chronic illnesses live in buildings with dust, mold, and volatile materials. Additionally, although there has been an increase in interest in eco-friendly housing, many green homes fail to have specialized accommodations for those who need them, while even fewer use sustainable materials. The result is a market that excludes supportive design and truly environmentally friendly homes.

Seeing all these issues, we decided to design a new kind of living space. This building redefines what accessible yet environmentally friendly housing can look like. Every element is made with a purpose, to support those with challenges, sensitivities, or health conditions, while also reducing the building's environmental impact.

Fully ADA-compliant and constructed with low-VOC, allergen-resistant, and FSC-certified materials, our design is the perfect housing solution to these problems. It creates the future of housing, where no one chooses between accessibility, comfort, or environmental responsibility. To bring this project to life, we decided to create a team of two to work on it.

Here are the overall materials requirements for the construction of our design:

1. 174 panes of 36" by 65" inches, glazed and insulated glass
2. 160,800 square feet of oak wood floor panels
3. 25600 square feet of low-carbon concrete
4. Steel beams: 150 W12x26 beams, 120 W18x35, 60 W24x64 beams, 60 W16x31 beams, 20 8x8x3/8 curved beams
5. Magnesium Oxide boards, enough to do the walling/flooring
6. Lime plaster, enough to cover the needed surfaces
7. Gym: exercise equipment, machines, physical therapy, yoga materials, weights, benches, calisthenics
8. Pharmacy: medical supplies, wheelchairs and walkers, medicine, prescriptions
9. Library: Books, literary materials, desks and chairs, student resources, book sanitation machines
10. Front Desk: computers, keycard system, accounting and records materials, document storage, staff break room materials
11. Residential Units: furniture, decoration, appliances, fixtures
12. Community Room: seating, stage, projector and screen, sound system
13. Main Lobby and Entry: seating, trees, doors, and access-card readers
14. Outer Grounds: foliage, grass, amenities such as sports courts and playgrounds, parking lot and roads

Thanks for taking the time to read our Instructable! We are Eitan and Nadav, two engineering students from MiraCosta Community College in sunny San Diego. After being introduced to Instructables and posting a few ourselves, we are both super excited to be participating in this year's Instructables Make It challenge. Here is a little about ourselves:

Hello, my name is Eitan, the team captain, and I am a freshman at MiraCosta studying to become an engineer so I can use my skills to make an impact on the world. I enjoy circuitry, robotics, and anything CAD, as well as some more relaxed hobbies like gardening and cooking. I very much enjoy being a part of the STEM community in San Diego, and in addition to creating and publishing projects here on Instructables, I volunteer at Science Olympiad and STEM camps where I can.

Hi, my name's Nadav, and I'm also a freshman at MiraCosta. I love anything 3D printing, tinkering, animation, astronomy, and I especially enjoy learning about biomedical engineering and how technology can be used to help those in need. In my free time, I volunteer in the STEM community, teaching younger students, and work on my own engineering projects. I also love stargazing when I get the chance.

Although we both share a lot of the same technical experience, we agreed to share certain responsibilities and each take on others for this project, according to our strengths:

Eitan: I have a little more experience with Autodesk Fusion, so I will be making the custom assets for the Revit model in Fusion, as well as the model for the physical scale representation. I also have an eye for staging and lighting, so I will be creating the renders from the final model in Twinmotion. I have experience with 3D printing, so I will be fabricating the scale model and adding the details.

Nadav: I will be working on the staging of the Revit and Twinmotion model, because of my experience with asset manipulation from the animation programs I have worked with. I will also work on the interior residential unit layout and design, and the medical aspects of the project, including the considerations for residents. I also will be responsible for the initial design considerations for the building.

Throughout the project, we both worked collaboratively on the write-up, documentation, main layout, and design of the building.

In the U.S., individuals with sickness or disability face a much more challenging housing situation. For example, due to their condition, they are less likely to receive work, and their median household income can be up to 60% less than that of non-disabled persons (Urban Institute), which makes it harder for them to afford sufficient housing. Additionally, over 7 million homeowners with disability claim they are spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Other than price, nearly 20,000,000 disabled and sick people live in households that are eligible for federal housing aid, yet receive none. Only 16% of those people can receive housing assistance for their disability. This causes a lot of these people to go into low-income housing, which tends to be far from any kind of hospital or pharmacy, making it hard to access proper care. Additionally, despite nearly 20% of U.S. households having a resident with mobility needs, 40% of those homes don’t have the appropriate accessibility features. But, 4% of U.S. homes offer essential accessible features, such as zero-step entries and wide hallways. Unfortunately, nearly 2 million people with disabilities live in shelters, on the streets, or in other unsafe places due to the lack of affordable and accessible housing.

Furthermore, many modern American homes are hazardous to the environment. Residential buildings account for 20% of CO2 emissions, while the construction industry uses nearly 40% of the global energy supply for material production and transport. These materials produce 11% of the global CO2 emissions, due to the embodied carbon in them, which makes up for 75% of the building's total emissions across its lifecycle. Many new homes don't have good energy performance, as their carbon emissions can be up to 3.8 times greater than expected. Indoor air quality in these buildings isn't any better, unfortunately. Modern construction materials often emit volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde and toluene. These emissions can persist for months after the construction of the building. The improper ventilation and synthetic materials are cited as primary contributors to poor indoor air quality. Additionally, the increase in houses in the United States is 6% greater than the increase in population, meaning that there is inefficient land use, creating a lack of nature when it isn't needed.

Overall, the lack of accommodations and environmental care in the U.S. housing market is one of the most prominent problems. Seeing these, we knew that our building design had to fix them, with the result being a space where anyone can live in comfort, while contributing to a healthier planet.

From the beginning and throughout our design process, there were some criteria and requirements that we had to keep in mind. To begin, we needed to find a defined community to make supportive housing for. After researching the main problems with the housing market in the United States, we noticed that the lack of accommodations for those with disabilities or illnesses. Compared to most groups, their access to proper living conditions tends to be life or death. Seeing how important the accommodations are to this group, we realized this is the group that needed a solution the most. Furthermore, we needed to address an additional problem while creating this building. While doing our research, we also noticed the environmental impact that most modern housing can make. We knew this would be our secondary problem to fix, as the environment is critical to society, for both physical and mental health. After having our primary group and additional problems to address, we moved on to our design.

The first part of the judging criteria we considered was our use of 3D digital design products. For our choice of CAD, we recognized that to make a viable solution, we needed to create the best model possible. So, we chose to use Revit and Twinmotion, which are used by real-world architects. Next, for our engineering mindset, we started by doing research to find the specifics behind the problems within the housing industry. After this, we worked with real-world experience by reading and using multiple research papers for our data, as well as for our design, about the building's architectural, engineering, and construction plans. We then divided up the work between us, designating certain parts of both the construction plan, CAD, renders, and writing to each other.

For this project, we utilized a variety of software, including CAD, BIM, rendering, and slicing tools:

Fusion 360:

For all of the more detailed, custom elements of our design, we knew we would have to create them by hand using CAD software. Because we have had experience in the past with Autodesk Fusion, we signed up for the Autodesk Fusion student software licenses and used it throughout the project. We used Fusion primarily to create custom furniture where we needed very specific dimensions and design features, such as the front reception desk with its specific contour to the edge of the building. For the 3D-printed scale model, we used Fusion to create a simplified version of the Revit model, mainly through a process of sketches and extrusions.

Revit:

Autodesk Revit is where the majority of the work for the project took place. We had never used Revit before, and after signing up for the student licenses, we got to work learning how BIM software worked and how we could use Revit to realize our design. Many, many hours of YouTube tutorials later, we were able to start modeling the building floor by floor, learning more about the intricacies of Revit as we went. We used Revit for all of the architectural design, as well as the majority of the living space design and furniture placement.

TwinMotion:

Twinmotion is a rendering engine made by Epic Games as a part of Unreal Engine, which is integrated with Autodesk Revit software to easily create architectural renders. Even though Revit has its own built-in rendering, TwinMotion allows for more freedom with light ray tracing and more advanced material properties. TwinMotion also has a built-in asset library, including an expansive collection of models for medical equipment and personnel, as well as foliage and plant models. Additionally, Revit blends seamlessly with TwinMotion, as the "Sync" feature in the Revit workspace allows for models to be synchronised, so each time we changed something on the architectural model, we did not need to reimport it into the rendering software. After a few more hours of YouTube tutorials, we were able to get the hang of it and used it for all of the advanced renders in the project.

Cura:

For the physical scale model, we decided to go with 3D printing as it was the most economical and accurate approach to creating a miniature, physical replica of an architectural model. Cura is one example of a "slicer", a piece of software that converts a 3D model into code instructions that a 3D printer can understand and follow. We used Cura to resize our models for printing, adjust the settings for maximum quality, and then load the directions, called "G-Code", onto the 3D printer.

Throughout our design, we carefully selected materials that would make an impact on the quality of life of future residents. We performed research on each of the principles we wanted to keep in mind and reflect in the final design. We focused on getting material that has been backed by science and the user experience. Every element, from the first floor to the roof, was carefully selected to reduce stress, promote healing, and create peace for the patients.

Wood:

Throughout both the interior and exterior of the structure, there is a subtle presence of natural wood finishes, accent pieces, and structural elements. Firstly, natural wood has been shown to have significant mental health benefits to home occupants, and for a residence where inhabitants are already under emotional stress, any possible measure to help them feel at peace in their home must be taken. According to "Wood and Human Health", a research paper published by the University of British Columbia and FP Innovations, natural wood tones can drastically reduce an inhabitant's stress levels. Specifically, natural wood in living spaces can work to lower sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation, the body's "fight or flight" response to perceived danger. Besides the direct mental benefits, we wanted the interior of the building to differ drastically from the notorious drabness and sterility of a hospital environment, which we in part accomplished through the use of natural wood materials. Flooring, furniture, accent pieces, and railings made out of wood are incorporated into each living and communal space, bringing inhabitants a sense of peace and low stress not found in most medical treatment environments.

Glass:

One of the most common treatments for depression and high stress is exposure to natural sunlight. Feeling the warm sunlight on the skin can significantly reduce stress, which is actually why dog owners have been proven to have less stress than non-owners, because they are exposed to sunlight when walking their dogs. Besides going outside, studies have shown that having a large presence of natural sunlight in a home can be incredibly beneficial to the inhabitants' mental health and well-being. In a research paper titled “Enlightening wellbeing in the home: The impact of natural light design on perceived happiness and sadness in residential spaces”, published by Morales Bravo Navarrete Hernandez, trials were conducted on 750 people to determine the impact of natural sunlight on mental health. The study found that the presence of sunlight in the home leads to a highly increased perceived level of happiness, in proportion to the amount of sunlight exposure. The paper recommends large, sun-facing windows, distance between buildings, and light-reflective wall materials for maximum exposure. To incorporate these findings into our building, we designed the entire exterior face of the living spaces and indoor communal areas to be completely paneled with large-paned windows. Each unit has over three hundred square feet of window space, allowing for plenty of natural light to stream in during the day, as well as moonlight during the nighttime.

Warm Decoration Tones:

Nothing can make a living space feel depressing and drab than a bad paint job. The color of interior walls and decorative elements can make or break a living space, and from the beginning, we knew we would have to carefully select the interior design colors for maximum mental benefit. According to S3DA Design, warm colors, including reds, oranges, and yellows, stimulate energy, conversation, and appetite. Some darker colors, such as blue, however, can in fact have calming effects, but if used less frequently and not as big in proportion as the others. Throughout the interior of the building, the walls are painted with warm neutral tones, and the same inside each of the living spaces. There are blue accents in the furniture, such as couches and rugs, and of course, a heavy presence of green in the building and rooftop community garden with the natural plants and foliage, as well as in the larger grounds outside with the grass. This carefully selected and implemented color palette works to give a peaceful and relaxing vibe to the inhabitants.

Round Structural Design:

Throughout the interior and exterior of the building, we incorporated smooth corners and gentle bends into our design to create a nice flow of energy through the living spaces. Besides the aesthetic appeal, curved architecture in favor of angular design has been shown to have a positive impact on stress reduction and mental calmness. In "The Emotional Impact of Curved versus Angular Designs" by Neurotectura, angular designs and sharp contours can "activate the amygdala, a brain region associated with processing emotions, particularly fear". The majority of the walls on the bottom floors of the building are one complete face without harsh angles, and the living spaces on the upper floors follow the same. This simple architectural technique provides extra comfort to inhabitants while creating a stylish and modern appearance for the building.

From the outset of the project, we were determined to make our design as green as it could be. There are already so many environmental concerns raised by large, polluting buildings and living complexes, and we wanted to change that. Throughout the design process, we included many measures to reduce to carbon footprint of the building, and make life on campus as clean and green as possible:

Solar Energy:

One of the most effective ways to harness natural energy and reduce the carbon footprint of urban life, solar panels are extremely effective. Many large industrial campuses have switched to solar energy, including Apple, with its main headquarters in California generating over 17 megawatts of peak energy with 2.8 million square feet of panels. In our design, we wanted to incorporate the solar panels in a non-intrusive but still effective way. We decided that the bulk of the panel arrays would sit on top of the two towers, away from view, and as high up as possible. This creates a better aesthetic experience, but also makes the panels more efficient, as their height would prevent them from being shadowed by other structures and expose them to the sun for longer periods of time during the day. The roof of each tower contains 12,096 feet of paneling, creating 993,000 kWh annual power output to supply the building's infrastructure.

Recycled Greywater:

Greywater is recycled water that is relatively clean, such as the runoff from washing dishes, doing laundry, and bathing. Greywater is easily purified into water suitable for non-sanitary use through processes such as biological treatment systems or multi-medium filtration units. In our design, we recycle greywater for use in the irrigation of the grounds and the rooftop vegetable garden, first decontaminating it to avoid the spread of any bacteria in water for immunocompromised residents. Recycling greywater can save up to 650,000 gallons of water per year for each acre of grass on the grounds, greatly reducing the strain on the community of the local water infrastructure.

Small-Scale Food Production:

Besides the wide variety of mental health benefits a community garden can bring to residents, the carbon footprint of any living space can be reduced by small-scale, local food production. Of course, a community garden won't provide for all the food consumption demands, but a few contributions here and there can make a difference over time. Season cherry tomatoes made available to residents, for instance, or a reliable supply of fresh herbs for cooking, so that residents can forgo the purchase at the store. Having a source of locally grown, fresh herbs and produce makes for a healthier and happier way of life, and through organic growth techniques, one that is greatly reduced in carbon footprint.

Upcycled Construction Materials:

When selecting the construction materials, we wanted to include as many recycled and low-emission materials as we could without sacrificing structural integrity or aesthetics. Besides the mental benefits, the use of wood in construction comes with a significantly lower carbon footprint than other materials. In addition to wood, low-carbon concrete serves as an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional material, which actually has quite a carbon-intensive production process. Combined with recycled steel beams, which contain notably less carbon than the original product, our design is well-suited to meet LEED certification. Some other materials we use to achieve a greener future are recycled glass and linoleum for tiles, which are composed of natural flax and rosin. This non-porous material provides a cleaner and biodegradable alternative to synthetic vinyl.

Materials:

Many people suffer from allergies, which can be hard to manage when living in apartments. All the walls in the building have an exterior made of exclusively oak wood. Untreated oak wood doesn't emit any kind of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) if untreated by chemicals. Additionally, oak wood is the least porous kind of wood, meaning that any kind of allergens, dust, dander, mold, or anything else harmful cannot get trapped in the wood. Finally, wood is easily FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certifiable, meaning the wood comes from responsibly managed forests, ensuring our goal of environmental protection is still maintained. Instead of basic drywood, we designed the walls to be made of Magnesium Oxide boards. Not only are MgO boards strong and fire-resistant, but they are also mold-, moisture-, VOC-, and toxin-resistant. Select wall and furniture surfaces are finished with lime plaster, a natural material known for its antimicrobial properties and negative ion balance, which helps neutralize airborne particles. For flooring, we decided to use a zero-VOC polyurethane rubio mono-coat to prevent allergens and have a smooth surface for wheelchairs. The wall paint is also zero VOC, which prevents respiratory irritation, headaches, and chemical sensitivity.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Everything in the bulding is fully wheelchair accessible. For instance, the only stairs in the building are in the fire escape, which all have emergency wheelchairs near every exit. Other than the stairs, many apartments don't account for the doors. Many wheelchairs are too big to comfortably fit through standard doors, which are on average 28-30". All the doors have a 36" width. This is ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act), which has a 32" minimum, so all the wheelchair-using residents will have room to spare. Another problem with most apartments is that the countertops are too tall for people in wheelchairs to use. Most kitchen countertops are 36'', which is just out of reach for them to use. That's why all countertops, whether kitchen or bathroom, are ADA compliant, at 30'', which is four inches under the ADA minimum. Additionally, all light switches are closer to the ground, as well as there is enough space in each room to use a wheelchair. The bathrooms also have grab bars in key areas, with roll-in showers. Finally, each side of the building has elevators that are wide enough to fit multiple wheelchairs.

Cleaning After Germs

One of the biggest concerns with our residents is their immunocompromisation. Having to live in constant fear of sickness can make it difficult for both children and adults to live a normal life. Our design works around this in many ways. One example is how, every 30 feet, residents can find sanitizer dispensers and wipes. Additionally, the janitorial staff is working 24/7 to ensure that all the high-traffic areas of the building are constantly clean. While these are good, some pathogens and germs can get around this. That's why our design uses ultraviolet light technology to get rid of all germs. UV rays can get rid of germs by attacking the microorganism's genetic material. The UV photons penetrate the cell wall and are absorbed there. This causes the formation of thymine dimers in the DNA, which block mitosis and repair. Enough exposure can cause the microorganism to be so damaged, it dies. All the UV devices in the building operate at a wavelength of 222 nm, the optimal germicidal wavelength that's also safe for human skin. The main way the UV system will cleanse the building is through the ceiling lights, as all light bulbs (except for those in residential areas) have a function to switch to UV light. These lights will operate during off hours (4 A.M.) for 30 minutes at a time, which is enough to kill viruses to spores. Additionally, the library contains specialized equipment to clean the books, which are known vehicles of germs. The library contains a UV Sterilizer Cabinet, which can clean books from cover to cover, ensuring that residents don't have to worry when relaxing and reading.

Throughout the modeling portion of this project, we first started with sketching out a design for each part of the building, then modeled it in Revit, and then added the props and took the renders in Twinmotion. Following, we have included a description of each room and its design principles, along with a final render of the space from Twinmotion. We included the files from Revit and Twinmotion here, if you would like to take a closer look.

Google Drive Links due to Instructables file size restrictions: Revit File, TwinMotion File

Like other hotels and residential buildings, a reception desk is a necessity for assisting residents and facilitating move-ins. Here, the residents can find support and information. We placed the reception desk near the building's entrance, near the entrance, for easy access. Staff members can help residents at the large curved desk. This design creates an open atmosphere. The dual-height level of the desk accommodates standing staff and residents who use wheelchairs and mobility aids. These staff play a crucial role, assisting with resident onboarding and move-ins, helping with general inquiries, and connecting residents to healthcare services both inside and outside the building. They also have stations to access records, make appointments, request medical equipment and medicine from the local hospital, and replace keycards. Behind the desk is the multifunctional back room, which serves as a storage area and staff room. Here, everyday convenience items can be stored, such as shampoo, toothpaste, Band-Aids, and soap. The back room also serves as a staff break room, where they can host meetings, keep important files, and take lunch breaks. Designed with natural materials and warm lighting, the multifunctional back room encourages relaxation and reduces fatigue during long shifts, supporting the well-being of those who support others.

Physical health is a key part of maintaining both physical and mental well-being, especially for residents who are managing chronic illness, limited mobility, or are working on recovery. That's why the building has a physical therapy center and gym, accessible to all residents. The gym is equipped with a wide range of exercise equipment to improve flexibility and physical health. These include inclined and flat bench presses, treadmills, rowing machines, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and more, all organized in the room to have great ease of access and use. For residents who prefer lower-impact exercises, the gym also offers calisthenics stations, free weights, yoga mats, resistance bands, and medicine balls, which enable any individual to have the perfect routine, no matter their fitness level.

In the center of the gym, we've designated a space for physical therapy equipment. This includes parallel bars, balance trainers, step platforms, and balance equipment, which are all supervised and maintained by professionals. Residents undergoing rehabilitation, condition management, or training can work here, in a safe, supportive environment, to recover. The layout of the gym was designed to be navigable, with paths between machines to ensure that residents with wheelchairs and walkers can move safely throughout the space. The floor is made with non-slip, cushioned material to prevent any falls from becoming hazardous. Natural light goes through the windows that give exercising residents a view of the beautiful landscape outside. This center helps individuals take charge of their health, recover quickly, while also enjoying the psychological benefits of exercise, all without having to leave the building.

On the left wing of the first floor is the gym and physical therapy center. This is the place where residents who can exercise can stay in good physical condition, and those who need physical therapy can meet with professionals. The gym is fully equipped with every major exercise machine, from an inclined bench press to treadmills and stationary bicycles, as well as yoga mats and medicine balls. There are also free weights and calisthenics equipment for residents who are interested in lower-impact exercise. We kept the floor plan of the gym open to allow for residents with medical equipment to be able to navigate the center easily, and in the center of the gym, there is the physical therapy equipment. All with a great view of the outer grounds, having a gym inside the building allows residents to remain active in their lifestyle. All of the equipment in the gym and physical therapy center is regularly cleaned and maintained by staff members to ensure a clean environment.

One of the biggest factors in health recovery is support, mainly from a community of friends and family. To foster this kind of support, we created the community room. Seen in the lobby, this room fosters a supportive community among residents. To accomplish this, the room has rows of seating, an elevated platform, and a projector system. So everyone can join, the platform has a wheelchair accessibility ramp, and the seating is designed so that anyone with a mobility aid has space to move throughout the room and sit down with other residents. The room has a panoramic window to the left, allowing for natural light to come in, creating a lively atmosphere. The main point of the community room is to have events that not only bring up the spirits of the residents but also foster the sense of community that is vital for recovery. For example, staff at the front desk can work to organize events for mental health workshops, therapy and support circles, and meditation sessions. To focus more on the community, the front desk can organize events such as game nights, seasonal celebrations, and holiday events. Another way the community room is used to boost recovery is through expressive workshops, such as poetry circles, art therapy, and music classes. If residents prefer a greater emphasis on health and wellness, the community room also hosts adaptive movement classes, pet therapy, and talks on nutritional health. These activates are tailored to be inclusive, accessible, and informed, ensuring residents can engage when they want, at their own pace and comfort level. The community room is a foundation for healing, making friends, and learning to navigate the challenges of illness, disability, or emotional strain.

One of the most difficult things for a child to do during treatment or recovery is attending school. Because we believe a child shouldn't have to forfeit an education, the classroom is open for anyone who needs it. In the right wing of the first floor near the library, the community classroom can be found. This classroom serves as a multipurpose learning environment, designed to teach any subject. Whether someone is regaining motor skills, managing an illness, or simply wanting to learn, the classroom provides an environment to do so. The space itself is designed for accessibility: the desks are height-adjustable, and the layout allows for enough space for wheelchairs and mobility aids. All the material is made to be either digital or printed, and smartboard technology allows for text-to-speech and vice versa, ensuring that residents can learn despite visual, auditory, or motor limitations. Like most rooms, windows line the wall, allowing for natural light to make residents feel calm when learning.

The reason it's difficult for recovering children to keep up with school is due to the difficulty when getting proper and legal homeschooling services. They are too expensive and difficult to find. That's why all educational services are included for residents. To achieve the best educational experience, the community classroom is registered as a legal school. To do this, the campus registers as an educational corporation and then with the respective state Department of Education. The teacher has the proper credentials and follows the curriculum standards. The teacher meets the required hours of instruction and creates a proper testing center. Next, the building staff provides health and fire inspections, sanitation inspections, and safe ingress inspections. Finally, the teacher writes polices for curriculum, enrollment, and emergency plans. After all this, the community classroom can provide a proper education while providing credit for classes, ensuring that all children not only have access to a proper education, but also don't have to lose official time in school.

Near the lobby, the residents can find the common area. This space is surrounded by windows, giving residents a view of the surrounding environment and letting in natural light. The area has a lot of seating and a storage of board games, giving a place for residents to hang out, relax, or meet with visitors.

Reading has been proven to offer immense mental health benefits, especially in younger people. It can offer an escape to those going through a difficult time, and maintaining mental activity can lead to overall health benefits. It's a great space for residents to reflect, learn, and read, within the safety of their home. The library is located next to the classroom, on the first floor. The area is away from the high-traffic areas of the campus, minimizing noise and overstimulation. The full panoramic windows let natural light in, so that everyone can read easily. For mobility, the shelves are further apart than in most public libraries. This allows people with wheelchairs and mobility aids to navigate between the bookshelves easily. Next, while the range of books has something for everyone, the unique feature is the books for accessibility. There are shelves full of braille books, large print, and files for audiobooks, to guarantee that everyone has access to literature, despite their visual handicaps. To make the library more comfortable, the center includes a quiet space, complete with beanbags and tables for residents to sit and read in. Beyond reading, the library serves as a learning and gathering space, where residents can get personalized reading recommendations or borrow board games, puzzles, or other things to stimulate cognitive function. Overall, the library is a place where residents can feel safe, seen, and intellectually stimulated.

According to the "Multi-Sites Trial on the Effects of Therapeutic Gardening on Mental Health and Well-Being", gardening can significantly reduce depression and anxiety, while increasing daily activity engagement and overall quality of life. Garden has also been shown to create a sense of purpose and something to look forward to each day. We decided to design the main roof of the building to have a multi-use recreational area and community garden, where residents can hang out, garden, and relax. There are several rows of garden beds containing vegetables and herbs, along with storage containers to keep the area tidy. There is also a shed to store the larger equipment, such as wheelbarrows and shovels. On the opposite side, there are compost bins included to reduce food waste and give table scraps a new purpose.

On the left and right sides of the garden are seating areas where residents can enjoy a drink and look out and enjoy the view. There are couches under shade sails, as well as lawn games like cornhole, horse shoe toss, and ping pong.

One of the main issues for people who are immunocompromised is getting medication, as it can be difficult to go out of the house. Thankfully, easily accessible in the main lobby is the in-house pharmacy. Having a place to pick up medicine and other medical supplies makes life easier for residents who might otherwise have to travel often to the drugstore or hospital to pick up items for their care. The pharmacy features a pickup window where the pharmacy staff can serve residents, as well as a back room and closet for storage. To do this, the campus will be registered as an LLC to get the proper certification to run a legitimate pharmacy. On top of this, the pharmacy can do apartment delivery services, immunizations, and distribution of over-the-counter products. Including that, the pharmacy has security, space, and equipment that's all up to code. Additionally, there will be a designated Pharmacist in Charge, who ensures that all operations go smoothly, as well as maintains the pharmacy's DEA registration (to make sure all medication is legally distributed), State Board of Pharmacy License, and HIPAA compliance (to make sure all residents' medical information remains secure). But we wanted the pharmacy to be more than just an in-house location. That's why our pharmacy uses newer technologies to be more efficient. This includes a digital refill system on a free, designated app for residents that allows them to make orders from the comfort of their own apartment. Furthermore, the pharmacy has a medication synchronization schedule, which makes all medications available at the same time, ensuring each trip is efficient.

The largest portion of the building is its residential rooms. These can be found in the two pillars on either side of the building, where the right side is six stories of rooms, and the left side four. For the floor plan of the rooms, we went through a lot of design variations. Because the floor is circular, it was hard to create an efficient design. After 5 versions, we ended up settling on a design that had six rooms on each floor. Every floor is 100' in diameter, and has a fourteen-foot hallway separating it into two, which allows for anyone using mobility aids to have enough space to get through. On each side are three residential units, two normal and one penthouse.

The normal rooms are 43' by 34', and are placed in the corners of each floor. The entrance is in the middle section of the right wall and leads to an open space layout. To the far right, residents will find the bathroom, with a toilet and a shower. Attached to that is the bedroom, made for children, teens, and visitors. Next to that is the main bedroom, able to fit two. Below that is an extra room, which can be converted into a den, office, nursery, or whatever the residents need. Returning to the open space area of the unit, the kitchen is to the immediate left of the entrance, with the dining area behind it. The entire space is encompassed in natural light, as the entire third wall is a panoramic window. This room is best designed for smaller families, ranging from 2-4.

The penthouses are bigger, being in the center of the floor with two on each side. The room is 45' by 35', and comes with a few more rooms. The first room is the bathroom, directly next to the entrance. Across from the bathroom are two bedrooms, which are perfect for larger families. Next to the bathroom is the main bedroom, which has plenty of space for either parents or residents who need more space to accommodate their conditions. Sharing the same wall is the den, which is mainly used as a place of entertainment and relaxation, but is also fully customizable to the resident's desires. In the open space area, the kitchen is next to the dining room, where both are in the natural light provided by the panoramic window.

Each penthouse has a dedicated den, a space primarily used for entertainment, but adaptable to any resident's desires. The room can be turned into an office, studio, or lounge. No matter what it is, the den provides a quiet environment where residents can relax or focus. Located next to the main bedroom and kitchen, it features a wide clearance area, ensuring it remains mobility-aid friendly. The large window brings in natural light during the day, but has blackout shades to accommodate residents with sensory sensitivity or overstimulation. Designed with comfort in mind, the den is great for digital appointments, virtual meetings, or a place to relax. Its minimal layout allows for it to be adaptive, making the den a great addition to their home.

In the residential units, the bedrooms are tailored to meet the needs of residents living with illness or disabilities. For the bedroom layout, the regular apartments have one bedroom and one main bedroom, while the penthouses have two bedrooms and one main bedroom.

For the regular bedrooms, the area has ample floor space, yet is very space-efficient. The room has plenty of space for a twin bed and desk, as well as a nightstand and dresser. The soundproofing qualities of the walls make it a great space to study and rest. These rooms are perfectly designed for children, teens, or visiting family members, offering a personal place and somewhere to rest.

The main bedrooms have more space, enough to fit a queen or king bed. The even wider space in this bedroom is great for anyone with walkers, wheelchairs, or any in-room medical equipment. There's plenty of room to spare so that residents can put dressers, cabinets, or even a television. Across both bedrooms, the walls use zero-VOC paints with low allergen finishes, and smooth non-slip flooring. These rooms are designed to offer every resident a space of peace and rest.

The front door to each of the residential units opens up into the main hall. This is a wide, open space meant to serve as a large hallway and walkway into the rest of the unit.

Just like the bathroom, the kitchen in both regular and penthouse rooms is standard. To begin, it comes with an ENERGY STAR Certified fridge, that meets the EPA's standards for energy use. Additionally, the fridge does not have any pull-out drawers, and instead has doors, which make it easier to access from a wheelchair and save space. After that, all the countertops are lower to the ground, to make them more accessible. On the countertops are low-flow sinks to continue to support our environmental cause. Next, most of the kitchen cabinets are either below the counter or part of the island, which makes it easier to access for wheelchair users. The oven and stove combo is also lower to the ground, as well as the island, which has an additional induction stove top, which is overall safer and energy efficient. For more ADA compliance, all appliance controls are front-mounted and reachable within 30'' of the floor. Finally, most pantries are walk-in, which makes it difficult for wheelchair users to access. That's why our pantries have open space designs

One of the most important parts of the residential units is the bathroom. Between the normal rooms and the penthouse rooms, the bathroom is the same in terms of space and design. The main feature is the wheelchair accesable shower. Most showers in apartment living spaces tend to be a shower-bathtub combo. This simply does not work for our wheelchair-using residents, as that requires them to both climb in and stand for the duration of the shower. Instead, we are using specialized roll-in showers that have grab bars to help people in wheelchairs bathe easily. These showers are very similar to walk-in showers, so it won't impact residents who don't use wheelchairs. Additionally, to achieve our eco-friendly goal, all shower heads will be rated at 1.8 GPM (Gallons per minute). Most shower heads are 2.5, meaning our building will save hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a year. On top of all of this, the showers are fully ADA compliant, meaning there will be no issues for disabled residents during use. Other than that, each bathroom has a lowered countertop and sink, so that both children and wheelchair users can access them. Additionally, the floors are non-slip, ensuring no accidents happen. There's also enough turning space (Over 60", which is ADA compliant) so that residents have an easy time maneuvering.

On top of our initial green future measures, our building is platinum LEED certified. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design service ensures that building designs are able to save energy, water, materials, and provide great indoor health. For our building, we went for an LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C), which is specified for apartment buildings, hospitals, and clinics. Getting a platinum certification requires at least an 80/110 score, which applies to 9 categories that our building works to have. The first is an integrative process, which encourages collaboration among team members from the beginning and analyzes water and energy systems early in the design. This accounts for 1 point. The next category is location and transportation, which requires the building to provide bike storage and EV charging, as well as be near public transit. Because our building is planned to be located near hospitals, which already have public transit available, this will be easy to integrate, giving us 15 points. Then, for 8 points, the site must be sustainable. This includes not disrupting natural habitats, using green roofs, and having rainwater management. The building is already made in local areas, so its construction does not contribute to environmental loss. Then, due to the rooftop garden, rainwater is easily used, and it works as a green roof. The low-flow fixtures in both the bathrooms and sinks meet the requirement for water efficiency, and the rooftop garden using rainwater means little to no irrigation is required, getting another 11 points. The most important requirement is energy and atmosphere, which is up to 33 points. This involves using renewable energy sources, such as solar on the roof. It also requires the use of HVAC systems, which our building has. Next is the materials and resources section, which requires that the building is made up of recycled, regional, reused, and FSC-certified materials, which amounts to 13 points. The materials must also be low-impact and durable, which all of ours are. Next, for 16 points, the building must have good indoor environmental quality, meaning the paint, adhesives, and flooring should be low-VOC, which every material we use is. Also, the category requires that there be plenty of natural light, which is present throughout the entire building. After this, the building needs to fit the regional priority credits. This means that it recognizes geographically important environmental concerns and addresses local priorities. We achieve this with community room and classroom events that discuss the impact of humanity on the environment and address the local water scarcity through the low-flow appliances, which earn 4 points. Finally, we get 6 points for the innovation category, as we referenced many different LEED-approved techniques in our design. Overall, because our design excels in these categories, it makes it the perfect fit for a clean, green future, getting a LEED platinum score of 104/110.

Using our Model from Revit, we created a Step-By-Step construction plan to get an idea of how our design would be implemented in a real-world scenario:

1 - Preparation

To begin the construction process, the development team would conduct a site survey to ensure that the location would be suitable for our design. Since it is a large building, the soil underneath must be stable and the ground must be relatively flat. Secondly, all of the necessary permits and regulatory approvals must be secured to ensure that the building process can take place.

2 - Site Preparation

After construction can begin, the first step would be to clear the ground. Our building is flat by design, and therefore the site would need to be very close to level. Heavy machinery would then be used to dig space for the foundation to be poured, in addition to the excavation of the underground parking garage.

3 - Core Construction

As with any large industrial building, the structure must be constructed first. The recycled steel beams would be placed, outlining the two towers on either side of the building, and placed for the stairwells. The elevator shafts on each wing of the building would be framed, as well as the floors and roofs of the structure.

4 - Interconnecting Bridge

As one of the main interior design features, the two interior balconies would need to be structured in recycled steel. That process involves cranework to hold the beams in place while being welded together, as well as temporary scaffolding.

5 - Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Gas Lines

With the structure of the building in place, the construction team would then add the interior infrastructure. This includes conduits for and the laying of electrical lines to power the devices of the building, plumbing for all of the water uses., HVAC for the heating, cooling, and air purification system, and gas lines for the rest of the building infrastructure.

6 - Drywall and Flooring

With all of the internals installed, the team would then begin to create the walls of the building. Drywall, glass, and wood would be used to create the finished interior. The window panes are all the same size, and could be fabricated beforehand, as well as the wooden flooring boards. The walls would have to be custom-sized on site, as they vary throughout our design. The windows would be installed via crane from the outside, being fastened from inside the building.

7 - Elevators and Stairs

Next, the elevators and stairs will need to be installed so that the construction team can access the upper floors while finishing the interior, and for later so that furniture and other items can be brought up.

8 - Architectural Details

With the interior structure complete, the finer details can be added, such as the baseboard, doorway trim, railing for the balconies and roofs, interior windows, and the doors. They will have to be brought in through the main lobby, and taken up via the elevators.

9 - Main Lobby and Communal Area Furnishing

To start completion of the construction, the heavier furniture can be brought in for the bottom 3 floors, as well as the rooftop recreational area. Things like the main reception desk, stage for the assembly room, shelves for the library, and whiteboard for the classroom. For the roof, the heavier outdoor furniture, shed, tool storage, and garden beds.

10 - Site and External

With the main building complete, the outer grounds would be developed. Pouring asphalt for the roads leading into and out of the complex, as well as access roads for maintenance crews. Sand pits and grass installation for the larger grounds, as well as blacktop for the sports courts. The underground parking garage would also be developed in stage 10, to provide parking to further construction people and future residents. In addition, the connections would be made to the main road, and the proper stoplights and crossing signs installed. The rooftop solar would be installed as well, and connected to the main power system.

11 - Infrastructure Setup

In phase 11, all of the interior infrastructure, such as the pharmacy, gym, and front desk, would be stocked with their respective equipment and materials. The rest of the interior decoration for the residential units would take place, as well as the appliances for the kitchen and laundry area. Signage for entrance, exit, elevator, and stairs locations would be added as well.

12 - Finishing touches

The interior decorations would be installed, and each apartment equipped with its furniture, including cabinetry, sinks, and bathroom furnishings. The nets, playground equipment, and fences would be installed in the outer grounds, as well as the road lanes painted and the elevator system to the parking garage installed.

13 - Testing

To complete construction, all of the electrical lines, plumbing, gas, and HVAC would be reviewed. The solar panels would be tested to ensure efficient power generation, and all of the lights would be tested to ensure that they are working and everything is compliant with local regulations.

14 - Commissioning

The staff would be trained on the interworkings of the building, and how to care for the residents. The occupancy certificate would be obtained, and fire drills performed. The building would be prepared for opening day, and for residents to move in.

With our Revit model complete, we wanted to create a physical scale model to better visualize our building design. We decided to use Autodesk Fusion to create the model so that we would have greater control over the level of detail. To keep the prints manageable, one foot in the real world is equivalent to one millimeter on the model.

First, we used the "Canvas" tool in Autodesk Fusion to bring in a birds-eye view of the building from Revit. Then, we created a sketch of the building contour using the canvas as a guide, utilizing the circle and spline curve tools to match the profile of the building.

We then extruded the sketch to create a 3D representation of the building. We used the measurement tool in Revit to get the dimensions and then scaled them down for the model in Fusion. We used the "extrude" tool to form the building in accordance with the converted measurements.

We then used sketches, extrusions, and other tools to add the details to the building, including the solar, front entrance, and railing.

A slicing software is a program that converts a 3D model into a set of instructions for the 3D printer called G-Code, which basically tells the printer when and where to extrude plastic. Cura is the slicer that we chose for this project because it is easy to use and highly customizable. We exported the model from Fusion as an STL and then imported it into Cura. For the print settings, we went with a layer height of 0.2 millimeters to help the primer stick better to the finished print and added a raft for better bed adhesion, since it is a larger, flatter model.

From Cura, we exported the G-Code onto a micro-SD card, and then selected that file on the printer. We printed the scale model in black PLA from Overture on an Ender 3 V2.

To better help the paint stick to the PLA surface of the finished print, we coated the exterior of the print several times with white primer.

To bring the scale model to life, we painted it with acrylic paints. Using a variety of small brushes, we carefully filled in the solar arrays, windows, concrete roofs, and garden beds.

In the modern American housing landscape, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses are far too overlooked. They are forced to live in inaccessible and unhealthy environments. Our design was created from the belief that everyone deserves a home that can properly support their physical well-being. Every element, from low-VOC materials to ADA compliance, to its programs and services, the community gives residents the ability to empower them to have connection, good health, and joy, all within a building that respects the environment.

This building isn't just a solution to the problems in the housing market, but a model for the future of healthcare-integrated and sustainable housing. Our design aims to set the new standard, one where no matter a resident's physical condition, they have a place to live and thrive.

Thank you very much for reading our Instructable! We had a ton of fun with this project and learned a lot of new modeling techniques, architecture principles, and even how to use new software. We hope that you found the design process as awesome as we did, and we are excited to see what the community thinks of it.

Disability & Housing Access

1. Urban Institute – People with Disabilities Face Housing Discrimination and a Lack of Affordable Housing https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/people-disabilities-face-housing-discrimination-and-lack-affordable-housing
2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Worst Case Housing Needs 2021 Report to Congress https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/worst-case-housing-needs.html
3. Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) – Housing America’s Older Adults 2019 https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/research-areas/reports/housing-americas-older-adults-2019
4. National Disability Institute – Financial Inequality: Disability and Poverty in America https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/reports/
5. MarketWatch – Real Story: Searching for Accessible Housing in the U.S. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/looking-for-a-small-miracle-this-couple-used-a-newspaper-ad-to-find-an-affordable-accessible-place-to-live-4a7493b0
6. HUD / U.S. Census Bureau (American Housing Survey) – Accessibility in Housing https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/Accessibility-in-Housing-Report.pdf

Environmental Impact of Modern Housing

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks
2. World Green Building Council (WGBC) – Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront https://www.worldgbc.org/news-media/bringing-embodied-carbon-upfront
3. Nature Sustainability Journal – Energy Performance Gaps in Residential Buildings https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-020-0526-1
4. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) – Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/
5. Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction / UN Environment – Energy Use & Emissions in Construction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_energy_retrofit
6. GLOBUS Project (2024) – Global Building Sector Emissions (2021) https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.04133
7. RMI & USGBC Benchmark Report – Embodied Carbon in U.S. Buildings https://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/driving_action_on_embodied_carbon_in_buildings_report.pdf
8. RMI – Hidden Climate Impact of Residential Construction https://rmi.org/insight/hidden-climate-impact-of-residential-construction/
9. UNEP & IPCC – Building Materials and Operational Emissions https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/10/10/135
10. International Energy Agency (IEA) – Global Building Emissions and Efficiency Potential https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building

Materials and Health

1. EPFL (Hobel Lab) – The effects of Wood‑Based Furniture on Indoor Air Quality https://www.epfl.ch/labs/hobel/the-effects-of-wood-based-furniture-on-indoor-air-quality
2. Comparison of VOC Emissions from Natural Wood and Heat Treated Wood – Drvna Industrija Journal https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A24672/FULLTEXT01.pdf
3. Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Engineered Wood Products – APA Wood / FPLRN Report https://www.apawood.org/Data/Sites/1/documents/technicalresearch/Zylkowski-2018-Volatile-Organic‑Compound-Emissions‑from‑Engineered‑Wood‑Products-FPLRN.pdf
4. EcoRight – Lime’s contribution to indoor air quality https://ecoright.co.uk/limes-contribution-to-indoor-air-quality/
5. e-ScienceCentral – A Review on Applications and Safety of 222 nm Far UVC Light https://www.e-sciencecentral.org/articles/pubreader/SC000051788
6. Oxford Academic – 222 nm UVC Light as a Skin-Safe Solution to Antimicrobial Resistance https://academic.oup.com/jambio/article/134/3/lxad046/7069328
7. Wikipedia – Far-UVC (overview of safety and application research) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-UVC
8. Sulfycor – Magnesium Oxide Board Benefits: Fire, Moisture, Durability (2025) https://sulfycor.com/magnesium-oxide-board-benefits-fire-moisture-durability-2025
9. MagMatrix Boards – Highlighting the Green Benefits of MgO Boards https://www.magmatrixboards.com/post/highlighting-the-green-benefits-of-mgo-boards
10. Neurotectura – Angular Designs https://neurotectura.com/2024/12/31/the-emotional-impact-of-curved-vs-angular-designs/?