Aging In-Place Master Plan / Garage Terrace Project

Kankakee, IL

The garage, terrace, and sidewalk shown in these photos are the first steps of an implementation of a master plan to allow an aging couple (us) to stay in our house as long as we can. We like it here. The old garage needed to be replaced and we built this new one. We closed off the access from the alley with a fence that Bridget designed. It was based on a traditional Shaker fence but she staggered the tops of the pickets to let it "grow". The slope of the garage roof matches the house as do the materials. We aligned the ridges and began to form a courtyard with the steeply sloped roofs acting as walls. The garage is accessible by an alley. On the house side of the garage we put barn doors to allow the garage to be used for gatherings.

Next we installed a brick terrace in front of the garage for outdoor gatherings. We then poured a sidewalk connecting the garage to the side door of the house. The sidewalk is ramped to ADA slopes to allow a step free path from the garage to the house. If we're in a wheelchair it will help. Right how it's a very easy walk to and from the garage. Landscaping will be our project for next Spring and Summer.

Another upcoming project is a sunroom remodeling that will also have a bathroom. It will be a sunroom for now but can function as a first floor bedroom if needed. Another project is the remodeling of the kitchen. During all this we will be upgrading insulation, replacing windows, and continuing with ongoing maintenance of our old (1924) house. .