NAHB, 2013 – NAHB Remodelers, the remodeling arm of the National Association of Home Builders, announced both winners of its annual Homes for Life awards, recognizing excellent remodeling work for aging-in-place and universal design. The awards were presented on Oct. 17 at the NAHB Remodelers’ annual gala during the 2013 Remodeling Show in Chicago.

Larry Taff, CAPS, of TZ of Madison, Inc. in Madison, Wis., won in the Major Space remodel category. Monarcha Marcet, CAPS, of Adventure in Building, Inc. in Orlando, Fla., won in the Single Space remodel category.

“These innovative remodels by Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists exemplify great design by blending style and function,” said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, a remodeler from Houston. “The Homes for Life award winners transformed their clients’ homes with tailored solutions for each person’s abilities that enhanced the home’s aesthetic.”

Taff earned the Major Space honors for developing a single-level addition to a split-level home by adding wheelchair access to a bath, living space, kitchen and the outdoors that helped bring a family member back from a nursing home. A screened porch and deck allowed the home owners to continue gardening, and a bathroom with a roll-in European style shower, pocket door and roll-in sink complemented the living space on the same level.

Marcet designed the Single Space award-winning kitchen for meals that can now be prepared and enjoyed by all the family members of a multigenerational household, including an adult child with a wheelchair. In addition to opening the kitchen floor plan and installing strategic lighting and easy maintenance finishes, the sink and cooktop were installed on lifts. Best of all, since the cooktop and sink raise and lower independently, the whole family can now work in the kitchen at the same time.

For more information about remodeling, visit nahb.org/remodel.