National Demonstration Home Reaches Landmark

COLUMBUS, OH – February 1, 2010– The Universal Design Living Laboratory (UDLL), a national demonstration home of the future, reached a landmark by topping out upon the completion of its rooftop framing. The home will bring attention to universal design, a framework for the design of living and working spaces and products, benefiting the widest possible range of people in the widest range of situations without special or separate design.

“After over seven years of researching universal design, I am delighted to have reached such a critical point in the building of this new home,” said project leader Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D. “The universally designed home will accommodate people of all sizes, ages, and abilities.”

Once completed, the home will not only serve as the residence of project leaders Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D.and husband and project leader Mark Leder, but also will be used to teach residential and commercial builders, architects, landscape architects, designers, interior designers, manufacturer’s representatives/distributors, and home buyers. The 3,500 square foot ranch-style home will incorporate the finest craftsmanship and state-of-the-art products, technology and services.

About Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D.:
Rosemarie Rossetti Ph.D., internationally known speaker and advocate for people with disabilities with her husband, Mark Leder, are leading the national project, the Universal Design Living Laboratory. Rossetti and Leder married on June 10, 1995. Three years later, the couple’s lives were transformed forever while bicycling on a sunny afternoon. A 3.5 ton tree came crashing down on Rossetti. She was paralyzed from the waist down with a spinal cord injury – this was the beginning of a remarkable new journey. Rossetti created UDLL as her personal mission to increase awareness of the home of the future.

About UDLL:
The Universal Design Living Laboratory is a national demonstration home and garden that will bring attention to three critical architectural design and building concepts: universal design, green sustainable building and healthy chemical-free materials. UDLL will serve to help people better understand how to create a more comfortable living environment that will enhance their quality of life. This Universal Design Living Laboratory will act as a resource to learn from – today and tomorrow.

Editor’s Note: High-resolution digital images are available upon request.

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