Split-level accessibility: internal ramps, lifts, future-proofing

The first principle is honesty about who the home is for. A split-level home is not a suitable long-term residence for someone with mobility limitations. That does not mean it cannot be built; it means the design should be honest about the trade-off.

For a family with active children and healthy adults expecting to live in the home for 15 to 25 years, split-level design is typically fine. The stairs are manageable and the architectural benefits outweigh the accessibility limitations.

For a couple expecting to age in the home for 30 years or more, consider whether split-level is the right choice. If it is (perhaps because the site demands it or the design vision requires it), factor in the accessibility strategies that follow.

For a household including someone with specific mobility needs, single-level design is usually the right answer regardless of block characteristics.

On modest level differences (typically under 900mm), an internal ramp can replace or supplement a stair. The ramp gradient must be gentle enough to be safe and comfortable.

Standard practice: maximum 1 in 14 gradient for a ramp intended for accessibility use. A 500mm level difference therefore needs 7 metres of ramp length. This is a lot of internal circulation space.

For larger level differences, a ramp becomes impractical. A stair is used, with the ramp option preserved for future modification if needed.

Design the ramp with good handrails, non-slip surface, and clear approaches at top and bottom. A poorly designed ramp is more dangerous than a stair for some users.

Home lifts have become increasingly practical for residential use in the last decade. Costs have fallen and space requirements have shrunk.

A residential home lift typically requires a shaft of around 1.2 by 1.2 metres in floor area, extending through all levels served. This is more compact than a decade ago but still significant floor area.

Design the lift into the plan at concept stage. Position it centrally where it serves all levels efficiently. Consider its aesthetics; a well-integrated lift can be a design feature.

For homes that do not initially need a lift, future-ready design leaves the shaft as a stacked wardrobe or storage on each level, with structural provision to convert to a lift shaft later. This future-ready approach adds negligible cost at build.

Cost of installing a residential lift varies with the number of levels and the lift type. Get quotes from at least two suppliers to compare.

Even in a split-level design, provide a full accessible bedroom and bathroom on the entry level. This gives future flexibility if a resident cannot use the upper or lower levels.

The accessible bedroom does not need to be the master bedroom. A room that can serve as a guest bedroom or study today and become a primary bedroom later works well.

The accessible bathroom should include: step-free shower with linear drain, reinforced walls for future grab rails, wide door (850mm minimum clear opening), and space for a mobility aid to turn.

This ground-floor bedroom and bathroom combination is often called an "in-law suite" or "guest suite" and adds resale value beyond its accessibility function.

Small design decisions preserve accessibility options at almost no cost.

Wider doorways (850mm to 900mm clear opening) throughout the home, particularly on the accessible path between entry, kitchen, dining, ground-floor bedroom and bathroom. Retrofit widening is expensive and disruptive.

Lever taps and lever door handles are more accessible than knobs. They cost the same at build.

Reinforced walls behind key locations (bathroom, shower, toilet) allow future grab rails to be fitted cleanly.

Electrical outlets at accessible height (600 to 900mm above floor) rather than at skirting level are easier for anyone with limited mobility.

Consider structural provision for a future stair lift alongside the main stair. A stair lift is a lower-cost alternative to a home lift and can be added later if needed. Structural provision at build stage is easy; retrofit can be complex.

None of these additions require the home to look institutional. They are quiet design decisions that expand future options without changing the character of the home.