Today’s residential builders have more to offer than standard, code-built, single-family homes. Many builders are looking to enhance their new projects with specialty seals, certificates and accolades that promise quality construction. While most industry professionals are familiar with Energy Star® and HERS ratings, new certifications are cropping up that focus on more than energy efficiency.
What is Livable Design?
One of these new certifications includes the Livable Design Concept. The goal: recognize homes prioritizing “thoughtful design features that make everyday living easier and more accessible.” The concept addresses how the occupants, of varying age and ability, can have their functional needs served by a well-constructed home. The thoughtful design and functionality creates a more marketable home at time of re-sale.
Livable Design has three levels of certification: Approved, Gold and Platinum, each building upon established core criteria which includes 130 different design elements. These elements increase accessibility and make it simpler to modify the home, as needed, in the future. Examples include plug and light switch heights, amount of open space and conduits to accommodate future wiring needs.
Zoned Comfort Solutions® in Action!
In this year’s Professional Builder Show Village at the 2020 International Builders’ Show (Ibs), architect Andres Duany and the No Nonsense Housing Company developed a tiny home that reflected the Livable Design Concept. As the home prioritized space and function, Mitsubishi Electric’s Zoned Comfort Solutions were an ideal fit for this concept. Utilizing our M-Series systems, the team located the wall-mounted units in areas that would not disturb the flow of the home.
Beyond their efficiency, Zoned Comfort Solutions are helpful in meeting this standard. As a family’s dynamic changes, home renovations are needed or specific rooms in a home are used more than others, the system is flexible. Homeowners can set back unit temperature in spaces that aren’t used and they can add on units easily if an addition is required without disturbing the infrastructure of the home through required ductwork.
At Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US, we love to be a part of new and exciting trends in the building space that add value to both builders and customers. To learn more METUS’ residential solutions, visit MitsubishiComfort.com.
Image courtesy of No Nonsense Housing Company.
