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Accessible Home > Episode 7: Landscaping and Stairs

Planting Trees and Shrubs in the Front Yard

Project: Accessible Home, Episode 7, Part 1

With four of the nine affordable single-family units in the Roxbury development nearing completion, landscaping contractor Janet Cox shares her plans for their yards. To that end, Frank Santos arrives with four truckloads of specially engineered loam.

Bob helps anchor the new modular stair system into the bulkhead foundation and reviews the new kitchen cabinets.

Carpenter Bob Ryley and contractor George build the ramp for the front porch of the accessible unit.

Part 1: Planting Trees and Shrubs in the Front Yard: Landscape contractor Janet Cox explains her approach to the plantings for Roxbury development homes-- an approach that takes into consideration the unique challenges that accompany urban landscaping.
Part 2: Installing Steel Stair Stringers for the Bulkhead
Part 3: Building a Handicapped Access Ramp

This project follows an urban renewal story, involving grass-roots activism and affordable housing. Bob Vila reports on nine newly built three-bedroom homes, including one with accessibility for people with disabilities.

Also from Accessible Home

Episode 1 - Housing Project Introduced
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Description:
Bob introduces the nine-unit affordable housing project in Roxbury, MA, by touring the neighborhood with the community-based developers from Nuestra Comunidad CDC. Bob shows that here, as is often the case in urban construction projects, soil decontamination is taking place at the same time as foundation excavation. At another site, we meet Arnold Johnson and George Chin, contractors for the accessible hour the job, who show Bob around a unit that's already been framed.
Episode 2 - Framing and Shingling
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Description:
Framing is underway on the unit of the Roxbury project that will be accessible for people with disabilities. George and Arnold (from Crosswinds Enterprises) explain the panelization process and what it takes to get the job done right with a building crew that's as culturally diverse as the community. On the roof, Jack Vieira installs asphalt shingles and flashing, while George installs special blocking inside that will be used to securely mount some safety handrails.
Episode 3 - Installing Siding
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Description:
Arnold (from Crosswinds Enterprises) and Bob demonstrate the easy installation of a special kind of weather- and fire-resistant cementicious siding. In the basement, plumber Gerry Folan and electrician Brad Owens are both busy at work.
Episode 4 - Insulation and Door Installation
Episode 5 - Designing for the Disabled
Episode 6 - Building the Railing System
Episode 8 - Installing a Tankless Water Heater
Episode 9 - Shower Stall and Drywall
Episode 10 - Accessible Fixtures and Elevator
Episode 11 - Energy Efficiency
Episode 12 - Lockset Installation
Episode 13 - Accessible Unit Tour

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