What is Universal Design?
Universal Design is an approach to homebuilding that prioritizes accessibility, comfort, and usability for people of all ages and abilities, without sacrificing style. It’s about creating spaces that work better for everyone, with features like zero-step entries, wider doorways, open floor plans, and smart layout choices that make daily living easier. At its core, Universal Design is thoughtful, flexible, and future-ready.
Zero-Entry Access Through the Garage
All Sadler homes offer step-free entry through the garage, creating effortless access for everyday life, without altering the beautiful, traditional front elevation. It’s one of the many ways Universal Design quietly enhances convenience.
Generously Sized Doorways
All Sadler homes offer step-free entry through the garage, creating effortless access for everyday life, without altering the beautiful, traditional front elevation. It’s one of the many ways Universal Design quietly enhances convenience.
Flowing, Open Floor Plans
Our layouts are thoughtfully designed to feel open, natural, and easy to navigate. Every space is optimized for comfort, connection, and livability.
Zero-Entry Showers
Step directly into a stunning, spa-like shower, no thresholds, no barriers. These showers offer beauty, ease, and comfort for every stage of life.
Elevators or Stacked Closets
Most of our homes include a residential elevator. When a client chooses not to include one right away, we design for the future with perfectly aligned stacked closets that allow for seamless elevator installation later on.
Raised Dishwashers
A game-changing feature, elevated dishwashers reduce bending and make everyday tasks more comfortable. It’s a simple touch with a big impact.
Sleek Lever-Style Handles and Fixtures
Our door handles and faucets are selected for both form and function—easy to use, beautiful to look at, and built to last.
Smart Lighting and Switch Placement
Thoughtful lighting design and well-placed switches make your home more intuitive and enjoyable to live in, from day one.
The Father Of Universal Design
Universal Design began at North Carolina State University, where architect Ron Mace, one of its founding visionaries, set the groundwork for a more inclusive world. After contracting polio at age nine and using a wheelchair, Mace experienced firsthand the challenges of inaccessible spaces. He earned his architecture degree from the School of Design at North Carolina State University in 1966 and went on to champion barrier-free environments for people of all abilities. Mace helped shape North Carolina’s 1973 accessible building code (the first in the nation) and later influenced national policies like the Fair Housing Amendments Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1989, he established the Center for Universal Design at NC State, making inclusive design a national movement.
“We can make anything more universally usable, but to do that, we must pay attention to details.”
– Ronald L. Mace
Your Guide to Inspired Living
Curious about what sets a Sadler home apart? Our Inspired Living Book offers a closer look at the design principles, thoughtful features, and timeless style that define our work. More than a lookbook, it’s a window into smarter, more beautiful living. Fill out the form to receive your copy and start imagining what’s possible.
