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Proactive Design: Why Universal Design is Better Than Retrofitting
When it comes to designing spaces, there are two main approaches: building with future needs in mind or making changes after the fact. Retrofitting—adding features or making modifications to an existing space—can be time-consuming, costly, and often disruptive. In contrast, Universal Design (UD) emphasizes creating spaces that are accessible, efficient, and adaptable from the start. In this post, we’ll explore why Universal Design is the smarter choice, saving you time, money, and stress while enhancing overall usability.
The Cost of Retrofitting
Retrofitting is sometimes unavoidable, especially in older homes or buildings that were not designed with accessibility or future adaptability in mind. However, the costs can add up quickly. Whether it's widening doorways, adding ramps, adjusting countertops, or reconfiguring layouts to accommodate changing needs, each modification brings its own set of expenses. According to industry data, retrofitting a home for wheelchair accessibility can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the complexity of the work. And that’s just for physical access—not to mention the additional costs for smart home technologies or other adaptive solutions.
Aside from financial costs, retrofitting is often inconvenient and disruptive. Construction dust, noise, and the need to rearrange or even temporarily vacate spaces can create significant headaches for homeowners. For businesses, the downtime during retrofits can mean loss of revenue and frustrated clients or customers. Retrofitting isn't just inefficient in physical design—it also hinders progress in education. When schools design classroom layouts, curriculum, or instructional models without considering the diverse range of learners from the outset, they often scramble later to add accommodations for students with disabilities, language barriers, or different learning styles. This reactive approach is not only time-consuming and costly, but it can also make students feel like afterthoughts, undermining inclusion efforts and causing unnecessary frustration and stress for educators. Check out this 5 minute video from one of my favorite Special Educators, Dr. Shelley Moore, as she explains the cost of retrofitting in educational design.
Special educator, Shelley Moore, explains in 5 minutes the cost of retrofitting in curriculum and instructional design in education.
Universal Design: A Smarter Investment
Universal Design, on the other hand, takes a proactive approach. It anticipates a wide range of needs from the beginning, making spaces more flexible and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, disability, or changing circumstances. Unlike retrofitting, Universal Design integrates features seamlessly during the initial planning and building stages, avoiding the need for costly alterations down the line. Proactively applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles ensures that educational environments and lesson plans are flexible, engaging, and accessible to all students from the beginning. This foresight reduces the need for constant adjustments, improves learning outcomes, and supports teachers by giving them tools that work for everyone—not just the "average" student.
Consider doorways as a simple example. A standard doorway is about 30 inches wide—not enough for many wheelchairs. Retrofitting that doorway to 36 inches typically costs around $800 to $1,200 per door. When building or renovating with Universal Design principles, opting for 36-inch doorways from the start eliminates that cost entirely. And it's not just about accessibility—wider doorways are also more convenient for moving furniture, strollers, or simply allowing more natural flow through a space. This goes beyond being ADA-compliant and in alignment with building codes - universal design is just best practice for being as inclusive and functional as possible.
Real-Life Applications of Universal Design
There are countless examples where Universal Design shines as a proactive solution:
Kitchens Designed for All Abilities: Lower countertops, pull-out shelves, and touch-activated faucets make the kitchen accessible to everyone, including those who use wheelchairs or have limited reach.
Bathrooms Built with Flexibility: Walk-in showers with no-step entries, grab bars that double as stylish towel racks, and adjustable showerheads are easy for everyone to use and eliminate the need for future modifications.
Entryways That Welcome All: Level entries without steps make it easier for everyone to enter the home—whether you're pushing a stroller, moving heavy furniture, or accommodating someone with limited mobility.
Lighting and Technology Upgrades: Smart lighting systems that are voice-activated or motion-activated help people navigate spaces safely and comfortably without fumbling for switches. Providing a variety of layered lighting options such as table lamps, adjustable floor lamps, spot/track lighting, recessed lighting, pendants, chandelier, sconces, etc. as well as options for dimming the ight and changing the warmth of the light bulbs can be really helpful.
Open Floor Plans with Clear Sight Lines: By minimizing barriers and optimizing sight lines, spaces feel more connected and navigable for everyone, including those with visual impairments.
Using Labels with a Visual/Graphic and Print: This allows people of all ages, languages, and reading abilities to quickly identify what goes where - creating more independence and easier maintenance of organization.
Consider Representation, Engagement, & Expression in Educational Design: During instructional planning, create opportunities for multiple ways for students to interact with and explore the material/content (ie digital, hardcopy, physical, kinesthetic, auditory, etc.). When you consider sensory learning and include as many senses as possible, you’ll likely have more students engaged in the learning and create sticky/memorable learning experiences for all.
Flexible Seating Options: It’s always helpful when you can provide a variety of seating options - consider swivel vs stationary counter stools, backs/arms vs. backless stools, swival/glider/rocker/lounge occasional chairs, firm vs. soft dining chairs, deep vs. shallow sofas and loveseats, etc. In a school setting, consider wobble cushions, back-jack chairs, pillows to sit on the floor, standing desks, t-stools, yoga balls, etc.
The Long-Term Savings of Universal Design
When you design with Universal Design principles, you’re not just investing in accessibility—you’re investing in longevity. The upfront costs of including wider doorways, accessible showers, and adaptable layouts are far less than the cost of renovating a space to fit these needs later.
It’s about future-proofing your environment and experiences, anticipating changes before they become challenges.
Moreover, Universal Design increases property value. Homes and commercial spaces that are accessible to all age groups and abilities are more appealing to potential buyers or renters, widening your market when it’s time to sell or lease.
Stress Reduction Through Smart Design
Aside from financial savings, Universal Design also reduces stress. When your space is already prepared for changes—like aging in place or accommodating family members with disabilities—you don’t have to scramble to make expensive, last-minute modifications. Everything is already in place, allowing you to focus on living rather than adjusting.
Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Design
One of the biggest challenges with retrofitting is that it often happens reactively. An injury, a diagnosis, or an unexpected life event forces changes that could have been anticipated. For educators, when you learn a new student will be joining your classroom community, you can greet them with open arms and get them acclimated to their new learning environment quickly when you are prepared in advance - regardless of their background - no more last-minute scrambling to prepare materials or spending your weekend adapting the learning environment for this new student. Universal Design allows you to break this cycle by preparing your space for life's changes before they happen.
Conclusion: Design for the Future
While retrofitting may sometimes be necessary, it should be seen as a last resort rather than the standard approach.
Universal Design sets a different expectation—one that embraces inclusivity, efficiency, and sustainability from the ground up. By planning ahead and designing with adaptability in mind, you save time, money, and avoid the frustration of reactive modifications. Most importantly, you create a space that serves everyone comfortably and beautifully, right from the start.
Is your space designed for the future, or are you setting yourself up for a retrofit? Reach out to WhiteSpace Design Co. to explore how Universal Design can transform your environment into a more efficient, inclusive, and stress-free space. Let’s make your space work for you—not against you. Reach out to me today and let’s create something functional, beautiful, and intentional together. Let’s connect ~ schedule a free 30-minute consultation today!
At WhiteSpace Design Co., I create custom environments that empower people to do their best work and live their best lives. By embracing the power of white space, I create clarity, efficiency, and inspiration in every space I touch.
