Michael Graves & Associates was commissioned by Clark Realty Capital to design two prototype single family homes as part of the “Wounded Warrior” project. The goal of the homes was to better serve injured veterans and their families while contributing to the national dialogue on this issue. Intended to accommodate a wide range of disabilities and injuries including paralysis, blindness
and loss of limbs, the Freedom Home and the Patriot Home utilized the ideology of Universal Design. Easy maneuverability, accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers, sliding doors, and adjustable height counter tops were a few of the design strategies used. With dozens more potential sites identifi ed for Wounded Warrior homes, these fi rst two houses opened in November 2011. Each house will also continue to be a design laboratory, with feedback from the occupants leading to intelligent  improvements for future designs.