Let’s start with a definition: ‘User Friendly’ means we as individuals take responsibility for ensuring that we live long, safe, and independent lifestyles. This will help us ensure our physical and mental freedom.

Prelude to a User Friendly Home

In 1987 he designed and developed Telosky Village in Maple Ridge. This unique housing project was recognized as one of the ten most advanced projects in the world. It was featured internationally at a design and technology symposium in Milan, Italy.

Simpson, President and founder of User Friendly Homes Ltd., next turned his attention into the development of home electronic bus designs. For those of us not familiar with the lingo, this is the automated technology and wiring which allow consumers to install a residential wiring network that meets the demands of product integration. The objective seems to be remote control of any appliance in the home.

In 1992, he developed one of the first Home Automation Showrooms in North America.

The 1996 PNE prize home brought Patrick Simpson to the attention of local media as design and building consultant as well as builder. This home received national exposure and achieved the highest sales figures on lottery ticket sales in the history of the Pacific National Exhibition.

Accidents Happen…It all came to an abrupt halt in 1997 when Patrick was bedridden with a back injury for six months. A longstanding director of the BC Paraplegic Society, Patrick now faced the challenges of those he had worked with for so many years. At the time, Patrick did not know if his disability would be permanent. Suddenly he had the unique and compelling opportunity to view both sides. He states, " "During all the phases of my housing career, the most unsettling part has been watching people forced to leave their homes and neighborhoods. The emotional price these people must pay in both the loss of their home and often the loss of their possessions which cannot fit in the new accommodation, is overwhelming."

The ironic twist did not leave him unprepared. Patrick’s experience and expertise soon combined to cement his desire to create what he then saw as anew vision in housing. It was during this period that he wrote, Building For You Future, the book behind the User Friendly Demonstration Home. (see details on page 8)

The book is a culmination of related work endeavors he says. "The housing industry has been stalled in resolving these housing issues and we see this home clearly demonstrating just how simple these solutions can be." During his rehabilitation, Patrick spent the next two years evolving this change. Fortunately, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Statistics Reveal the Time is Now

Canadians need to develop housing, which reflects changing demographics within our society. According to a recent study by CMHC, (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), one in nine Canadians is over the age of sixty-five, a figure which is higher than the international average. By the year 2030 this ratio will become one in four. Twenty-Five Percent of all Canadians will be over the retirement benchmark.

The simple fact that 90% of accidents occur in the home is astounding. The American Medical Association states that people over sixty-five experience the most accidents in the home followed closely by children under the age of five.

Further studies reveal that every time a senior falls and breaks their hip in Canada, it costs the health care sector $118,000.00 We spend an excess of $2 billion per year just on broken hips. Consider also that 80% of all patients in Children’s Hospitals have experienced some type of accident in the home, most of which were preventable. The need for User Friendly initiatives in home construction is clearly necessary.

‘Aging in place’ is a term increasingly familiar to today’s baby boomers. As we delve deeper into the next century, there will be even greater demands on the products and services needed by seniors, including health care and housing.

Pro-active in this effort, User Friendly Homes Ltd. believes that the focus should now be on education and public awareness. This endeavor will be addressed through home tours and educational tools and will be directed not only to the public, but also to the real estate, construction and health care industries.

A Home with a Cause

Today, the opportunity exists to provide needed information to professionals and home buyers. Indeed, the sole focus of the 4,600 square foot home is not only to showcase the latest in built-in home safety features but to act as a forum and centre for educational and research tools including: industry workshops, videos, virtual reality tour CD’s, and the ‘how to’ book, Building For the Future.

It is interesting to note that the home is "wheel chair friendly" but Simpson is cautious not to label it such. He has learned through twenty-two years of experience that labeling homes as "accessible" does the house, the contractor, the realtor and the homeowner a disservice. A firm advocate for home accessibility, he is the first to admit that features like wheel chair ramps and metal rails in the bathroom do little for home aesthetics and subsequent resale values. Patrick maintains that a house can be wheelchair accessible without screaming it. The User Friendly Home demonstrates that there are simple, virtually invisible features that can be built into the home at the point of construction that will increase convenience and independence for under a thousand dollars.

The User Friendly Demonstration Home shows just like any other upscale Shaughnessy residence but much more than a dream home. Many of the User Friendly differences are in the framing. Glen Shaw, of G.S. Home Contracting, the home’s official framer, oversaw the construction in accordance with the principals found in the book Building for Your Future. It is here that many of the design principals come into play – concepts that can be easily incorporated into any home plan.

The Future of User Friendly Homes

User Friendly Homes Ltd. is currently working with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association to develop a certification program. This private initiative will be developed with assistance from CHBA, which will then take over the operations and management of the program.
Similar to BC Hydro’s Power Smart program, the builder is trained in methods to make a home User Friendly and  on insurance, financing and taxes for User Friendly certified homes.

With the completion of the Vancouver demonstration house, User Friendly Homes plans to take its concept to other cities across the country and launch similar programs through local home builder associations. Eventually, the company hopes to conduct similar programs in the US and overseas.

The User Friendly Demonstration Home has come together with the assistance of a comprehensive team of professionals. Among them are Mary-Ann Clarke-Scott, principal architect of Generations Architecture Research Planning and the builder, Leigh Grelish, Trademark Homes. More than 100 sponsors are also involved and the BC Ministry of Housing, BC Gas, BC Hydro Power Smart, CUBA and the City of Vancouver supports User Friendly Homes.