BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (August 8, 2007) – Fox Hollow, Connecticut’s first universal design, single-family community, located in the city of Naugatuck, has included Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand appliances in its strategy to provide homes with the utmost accessibility and energy efficiency, as well as a striking visual appearance. Homes that incorporate universal design, such as those in the Fox Hollow community, allow homeowners to age in place with appliances and fixtures that are accessible to all, yet are not obvious or obscure. “We’ve put in every convenience feature adults over the age of 55 could ever need, but we’ve also paid close attention to the aesthetics,” said Gary Bonomo, president and CEO of Community Development Investment Fund, LLC (CDIF), the developer of Fox Hollow. Featured among the universal design amenities at Fox Hollow are Whirlpool and KitchenAid brand appliances. All homes feature KitchenAid brand stainless steel refrigerators, True Convection Upper & Lower Wall Ovens, 36-inch six-burner Commercial Cooktops, 15-inch Ceramic-Glass Two-Burner Cooktops, Drawer Dishwashers and Whirlpool® Duet® Fabric Care Systems. Featured appliances offer visual appeal with high-energy efficiency and accessibility, a Fox Hollow design requirement, and include elements of universal design, such as: -Refrigerators with controls in the front, eliminating the hassle of reaching behind groceries to make adjustments -Cooktops with handles, buttons and graphics located on the front of the unit, where they’re closer to the user. This design change reduces the need to reach, if that is the user’s physical challenge. It also reduces the potential for burns from a hot stovetop by eliminating the need to reach over electric or gas burners -Drawer dishwashers that reduce bending and stress on the back when loading and unloading dishes in the upper drawer. Homeowners can wash smaller loads using less water and power in one drawer -Washers and dryers with controls in the front of the units where they are easier to use. Optional pedestals raise the appliances so there is less bending and stretching. “We needed to work with an appliance company that understood that we would not and could not accept any appliances that were not energy efficient and in compliance with universal design,” Bonomo said. “We embraced Whirlpool Corporation because they have several brands and appliances that are stylish, very energy efficient and accessible to all. One of our goals is to provide accessible homes without the typical institutional appearance inside. KitchenAid and Whirlpool brand appliances help meet those needs.” Other universal design and luxury amenities at Fox Hollow include a choice of hardwood or stone tile floors; spacious doorways, hallways and rooms, illuminated light switches that are easily accessible from a wheelchair, cabinets, faucets and doors outfitted with levers instead of knobs for homeowners with arthritis; and cabinets under sinks with pull-out shelves and slide-back doors. With all of its amenities, Fox Hollow meets and exceeds the requirements of the National Association of Homebuilders’ (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation. “With a larger-than-ever number of active adults in the United States approaching retirement, it is important to provide homes that allow homeowners to age comfortably,” said Tracy Frye, senior contract marketing manager at Whirlpool Corporation. “We are happy to provide appliances that excel at both form and functionality and commend Fox Hollow for helping meet these home design needs.” In addition to all of the universal design features Fox Hollow has to offer, the community’s floor plans are also flexible enough to permit adaptation for the accommodation of an aging parent, Bonomo said. “There are 70 million baby boomers out there today, and millions of them are trying to accommodate elderly parents with mobility challenges,” he said. “Fox Hollow is unique in that it provides the perfect accommodations for the aging parent in the atrium space that can, at any time, easily be converted back into a beautiful garden room, exercise room, among other things. Fox Hollow has all the features needed to live comfortably in a very stylish home with details and amenities usually found only in custom homes.” Fox Hollow broke ground earlier this year on 7.7 acres in the north end of Naugatuck, Connecticut. Each of Fox Hollow’s 20 homes will offer no-step entry, single-floor living with more than 2,000 square feet of living space, a full basement and oversized garage. For more information on home designs and for a full list of features and amenities, go to www.foxhollow1.com. Whirlpool Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000 employees, and more than 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Gladiator, Brastemp, Bauknecht, and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building and design professionals, please visit www.insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977.
