The Waverly House Apartments is a 158-unit, high-rise public housing building constructed in 1978 located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, Maryland.
MAI provided a complete evaluation of the ADA accessibility requirements and designed modifications to the one-bedroom apartments located on the 2nd through 9th floors. All units were made fully accessible and significant changes were implemented to the kitchens and bathrooms including widening door widths, creating easily accessible closets, and providing automatic door openers at the entrances and bathroom doors. MAI also worked closely with the Department of Housing and Community Development to obtain a waiver to provide alternative means of accessibility when it proved impractical to modify existing conditions. As a result of not being able to provide a level transition at bathroom door entrances, MAI provided automatic doors, which were accepted by Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services in lieu of expensive modifications to the existing flooring. In addition, MAI also provided automatic doors and electronic keypads at the entrance of each unit to eliminate the need for severely handicapped or elderly residents to use a key.
MAI's scope of services also included obtaining all necessary building permits, managing the bidding phase and construction administration. All construction documents were prepared in AutoCAD 2008 and technical specifications were prepared using AIA Master Specs format.
