CREJ - Building Dialogue - March 2017
1. QuietRock 530 Drywall Sound can be one of the biggest issues that we face as housing designers, regardless of budget. In affordable housing especially, the goal is to provide a quiet and comfortable place for all residents. ej architecture started using QuietRock 530 drywall on the majority of our projects because of its high Sound Transmission Class rating and ease of installation. The gypsum panels have a thin layer of steel at the core that increases the sound dampening quality, impact resistance and durability. QuietRock 530 drywall makes multifamily housing sound like you’re living in a single-family home. www.quietrock.com 2. Schiene by Schluter Durability is key when choosing products for affordable housing projects. We keep cost in mind for the long-term by using Schiene flooring transitions. Schiene by Schluter offers a same-height transition strip for use between materials, specifically between carpet and tile or wood. The seamless transition minimizes tripping hazards for seniors and protects material edges from wear and tear. Schiene can also be used as decorative edge protection for stairs. Available in a variety of metallic finishes, Schiene keeps replacement costs of flooring to a minimum. www.schluter.com 3. Rev-a-Shelf When designing housing communities for seniors, reach and height are always major concerns. Rev-a-shelf designs and manufactures residential cabinet storage and organizational items to meet these needs. Their pull down shelving is used in most of our senior housing units to make hard to reach areas more navigable. Rev-a-shelf eliminates the need for step stools, minimizing fall risks, and encourages independent living for aging individuals. It also works well for families, allowing smaller children to be able to reach the upper cabinets without having to ask for assistance. www.rev-a-shelf.com 4. Spaghetti Wall by Howe One of my favorite partition products to use in multipurpose spaces is the Spaghetti Wall by Howe. This room divider provides high-design sensibilities at a cost that fits into most affordable housing project budgets. The lightweight decorative screen can easily be moved, allowing for incredible flexibility in shared spaces. Affordable housing communities provide many services to their residents such as educational and training opportunities, child care, and community events. www.howe.com 5. EchoScreen by Kirei Community amenity areas are critical in all affordable housing types; these spaces need to be flexible and allow for multiple activities to occur simultaneously. EchoScreen room dividers are part of the EchoPanel line by Kirei. The completely customizable panels are available in several stock patterns and are offered in an array of colors. The modular EchoScreens can be hung using a cable system from the ceiling or directly onto a wall surface for more versatility in space planning. This flexibility in installation allows us to use the panels to not only visually divide space, but also to buffer sound in open, multifunctional spaces. www.kireiusa.com