NARI GC to the Rescue!

Bathroom remodel by a collaboration of members of the Greater Chicagoland chapter of NARI, www.narichicago.org

BEFORE

In the far northwest suburbs lives a family of six: parents Mark and Joan Evans, and children Bradley, Grant, Meredith (16-year-old triplets, all with varying degrees of cerebral palsy) and Brett, an 11-year-old with autism. Despite their special needs, this family is an inspiration to all, and when local home-improvement personality Lou Manfredini (WGN Radio’s ìMr. Fix-Itî and Ace Hardware spokesman) learned of the difficulties they were having with their home, he notified the Greater Chicagoland chapter of NARI (NARI GC), knowing the organization has a ìNARI to the Rescueî program.

The Evans needed a bathroom that offers Universal Design elements to help the parents take care of their children with less manual labor involved. Joel Kristianson, AIA and NARI GC member, designed the plan for an expanded first-floor bathroom, and Mike Pudlik, MCR, GCP, another NARI GC member, took the reins of coordinating the project, working with 11 different contractors and 13 different suppliers, building inspectors, and attorneys. The Evans family now enjoys a large bathroom featuring all-new plumbing and heating; a large shower with a wide opening and safety grab bars, among other features; an accessible toilet and an accessible sink with an automatic faucet.

Architect: Joel Kristianson, AIA,
Project Coordinator: Mike Pudlik, MCR, CGP,