Graphic submitted THE adaptable design features of Norgate House, including adjustable-height coun- tertops and cabinets, make it a contender for a CMHC “flexhousing” design award. Norgate House a legacy to architect WV man never had chance to live in home By Layne Christensen Community Reporter WHEN the District of North Vancouver issued a development permit for Norgate House last ’ month, it was the realization of a dream for project designer Bev Nielsen. . Husband Garry, a West Van architect who specialized in social housing, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1989. The next year, ‘the two principals of Nielsen Architect conceived of a housing project that would accommodate Garry’s special needs and adapt to his increasing disabilicy. “The whole reason for this project was to find him a home so that he wouldn’t be insti- tutionalized,” recalls Nielsen. Sadly, Garry did not live to see the realiza- tion of their dream. “He went down very fast,” and spent his final months in a four-bed ward at Evergreen House, says Nielsen. He died this past Oct. 2 at the age of 55. But the project didn’t die with him. Neilsen pushed ahead with her idea and found support within the District of North Vancouver's planning department. In 1993, Innovative Housing Society, a non-profit Rain as rare as umbre OUR home and native city of ‘Vancouver may be the best place in the world to live (according to yet another study) out there is the small matter of winter when the sun organization that develops affordable housing projects, was brought on as the developer. Input was sought from community groups like North Shore Home Support and North Shore Health ~ Continuing Care. Ken Terriss was brought on as project architect. Nielsen also found an ally in Maureen McKeon Holmes, vice-president of MS Society. “There’s nothing like it,” says McKeon Holmes of the design that emerged from Neilsen’s vision. “It should be 2 model for other municipalities.” Pending financing, construction of Norgate House, a 36 unit, lowrise apartment at 16th and Bridgman in North Vancouver, is set to begin in April, with a target completion date of early 1998. The site is zoned for seniors, with cight additional units for persons with disabilities. All units are one-bedrooms which will rent for approximately $850 a month. Adaptable design allows seniors to “age in place” — a buzz word in health-care and housing — and for the severely disabled to live with dignity and comfort in a home set- ting. Adaptable design features include: © wheelchair maneuvering space at entry, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and closet; ¢ wider doorways; but visit one, as I did, and you'll discover people having a lot of fun at bargain prices. At Venture Out, the list of activities is exhausting, including golf outings (six bucks at the course down the road), a hike to Hieroglyphic Springs ($3 for the don’t shine. At this time of the year the best place to actually be is anywhere the rain isn’t coming down in sheets. Such as Arizona. That’s why I was on America West Airlines to Phoenix (John Reynolds in first class, me in the back) three hours non-stop to a balmy evening of stars in the sky, convertibles with their tops down and people with their shorts on. Nor were they all snowbirds, rather a mixed bunch who had come to golf, play tennis, hike and bike, and with differing ideas on what they wanted to spend. Air fares, by the way, were as low as $320 making this one of the cheapest flights to the sun from Vancouver. Everyone has heard of Scottsdale, home of Fashion Square, fashionable resorts and superb golf courses. Less well-known is Mesa, a few miles to the cast, where the locals say it’s the same sun but you don't get burned. Mesa is mainly trailer parks that don’t look too exciting from the road, tide) plus in-house stuff like ham radio, swimming, tennis, shuffleboard (a big outdoor meet was on), drawing lessons, creative writing, even a newly- weds club — and this was a resort for over-55s. Our trailer was cozy and comfort- able, just like a cottage. Rentals start at US$700 a month. Call 602-832- 0200. Mesa is well-placed for the Apache Trail, an old raiding route upgraded tor the building of the Roosevelt Dam. We drove towards the jagged Superstitions Mountains and took a delightful winding road with cut-offs to old boom towns, gold mines, hik- ing trails and camp sites. Canyon Lake makes a pretry pic- ture and would be yielding seme fish if several boats of anglers were a guide. End of the trail, for us, was Tortilla Flats (pop. six) which looks like a movie set, Basically it’s a store, restau- rant and a bar where you sit on real See Arizona page 27 Ledwitia BEV Neilsen (left) and Maureen McKeon Holmes stand at the site of the proposed Norgate House, a rental! housing development that would allow seniors to “age in place” and the disabled to live under 24-hour care in a home setting. ® electrical outlets and Jight switches at appropriate heights, ¢ handrails in public corridors; © water temperature regulation to prevent scalding; * lever handles for all doors and faucets; © kitchen cabinets and countertops that can be dropped down to wheelchair height, and * a laundry room with front-loading machines and raised platforms. The plan also allows for overnight accom- modations for one caregiver, so that there's always at least one person on call. “The idea here was to create apartment- type living with 24-hour care,” says Neilsen. “T couldn't afford to have full-time nursing here ar home. This is like trying to bridge the pr TS SS SSS gap.” Ma November, Norgate House was named a finalist in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s FlexHousing Design Competition, which recognizes housing designs that easily adapt to the changing needs of initial occupants as well as furure res- idents. With the award comes a $5,000 cach prize to help with future project costs. There is also the shot at the national award, to be announced in early 1997. Neilsen sees the value in an innovative design that offers greater housing options for seniors and the disabled. “Whar this does is extend their ability to live in their community.” llas in sun-kissed Arizona David Wishart photo THIS is no mirage, but a lovely lake in the Arizona desert. Travel writer David Wishart says that while many Canadian snowbirds flock to the southern state to play golf, Arizona is also a hiker’s paradise, with <:emingly limitless landscape of lakes and rugged canyons.