Our MAPS Senior Accessibility Specialist, Michael Grochola, recently visited the historic Laurent House in Rockford, IL. If you haven't heard of it, no worries, we only learned about its history recently ourselves. What makes this house incredibly interesting is that it was the only house designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright with accessibility as a key factor, for an owner who was in a wheelchair (he lived in this house for the majority of his life). It was incredible to see some of the accessibility items we look at everyday as part of our consulting work incorporated into the design of a house dating back 75 years. Keep in mind, this house was designed back in the late 1940s!

Is there any reason we should be back-referencing the 2009 version of ANSI when local code requires that we follow the newer 2017 version? It's a question that comes up quite often from architects and developers. And while it may seem counterintuitive to apply accessibility codes that were published over a decade ago, and in most cases a lot older than that. There’s actually a legal reason for using these older codes, and that’s compliance with the FHA (Fair Housing Act).

If you're providing an athletic court for your guests or employees to play pickleball, or any other wide range of sports from tennis to basketball, the facility has to be accessible for everyone, no matter if it's indoors or outdoors. It’s important to remember that even if you haven't seen someone with a disability or wheelchair use the athletic court before, that's not an excuse (yes, we have been asked this before), it has to be accessible on day one.

Did you know MAPS offer customized presentations on both the topics of accessibility and life safety. If you're an architecture firm, construction team, development company, or anyone else involved in real estate we offer both in-person and virtual presentations.

Architects, contractors, developers, and owners handle a lot of responsibilities on a project; hence it would be impossible for anyone in that role to dedicate all their time and focus to the accessibility codes. If you're relying on the permitting plan review by your local jurisdiction to ensure accessibility, keep in mind that they are only reviewing for local code compliance in the limited time they have. They are not responsible for verifying accessibility compliance with the federal codes, such as the ADA Standards or the Fair Housing Act.

Cold plunge tubs are growing in popularity as part of both workout regimes and spa therapies, they are common to see at commercial gym facilities but now they are even popping up as tenant amenities in residential projects.

Saunas are an amenity we commonly see provided for tenants at multifamily housing as well as for guests at hotels. We have seen dry, steam, infrared, aufguss, and banya type saunas get installed, but there are countless more variations each with their own unique experience.

When it comes to the bathtub seats there seems to be confusion on what type of models actually meet the accessibility requirements and when they have to be provided. With questions often being raised if certain models are considered “removable”. Let’s first look at whether or not your project would require a seat to be provided.

Let’s first clarify the biggest misconception, Option A and Option B bathrooms are not referencing Type A and Type B dwelling units found in multifamily housing despite the use of a similar naming terminology. It's common for most people to confuse Option A with Type A or think Option B bathrooms are Type B units, but that's not the case.

The Chicago Department of Buildings has announced a new pilot program regarding the use of mechanical only ventilation for residential units in high rise buildings. The intent of this program is to test using portions of the 2024 International Mechanical Code (IMC) in Chicago.

This update and expansion of the Express Permit Program allows for faster and more efficient permit applications, as well as a better review process.

The requirements for landscape drawings and the eligibility of who is able to and required to stamp landscape drawings for permit has had some changes in Chicago.

More and more hotels are switching over from the single use bathroom soap and shampoo bottles to the larger refillable bottles mounted to the wall of the bathing fixture. Love them or hate them, they are a common thing to see installed in most hotels these days. Yet they can create issues meeting the accessibility ADA requirements, requirements which tend to get overlooked. Just because there is no code language specifically referencing soap dispensers at bathing fixtures, does not mean they are exempt from the overlapping accessibility requirements.

In our experience even when the drawings are correct, that does not prevent things from being built wrong in the field. Problems come up, things have to be adjusted on site quickly and that means unforeseen accessibility problems that most people aren’t even thinking about. MAPS understands that our role as an accessibility consultant is to not be an advocate, but to be an asset. We work with you to ensure the project meets the code requirements and minimizes any future legal risks.

An outcome of updates to the 2022 Chicago Energy Transformation code and the changes to the 2019 Chicago Mechanical Code is an interaction between their respective requirements, leading to heightened specifications for residential kitchens. These specifications extend beyond what may seem required upon a cursory review of the Mechanical Code.

If you work in multifamily residential, in particular with Type A and B dwelling units there is a commonly overlooked accessibility requirement pertaining to the Type A kitchen. Why this issue gets overlooked is due to an exception that the code provides only in Type B units.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has released a memo regarding street openings and the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

DPD has released new updates on the approval process for compliance and city inspections for the Landscape Ordinance.

For projects that are required to comply with the landscape ordinance, such as renovated businesses, new commercial buildings, or large residential buildings there is a new process for calling for/performing inspections and requesting the landscape deposit refund. This includes the installation of parkway trees, screening at parking lots, and other similar plantings.