Accessible Oasis

When builder Stefan Bull, owner and project manager for High-Tech Building & Design in Lacey, WA., received a call for a job in nearby Olympia, he was excited and ready for a challenge. This job had two. Bull needed to build a deck that was completely wheelchair accessible, and he did it with a new product line he had never used before—Ceramic Composite MonaDeck from Monarch Technologies, a patent-pending new line of ultra-durable composite decking.

“That was definitely the biggest challenge,” said Bull. “Getting to know this new product, there was some trial and error. It’s always good to understand the materials you are using, like how it reacts to different

By Stephanie Ornelas

ABOVE: Bull needed to design a deck that was fully wheelchair accessible, so he teamed with a landscape architect, and designer/co-owner Chad Schroeder.

OPPOSITE RIGHT: According to Bull, one thing that really sets this deck apart from the rest is its extreme durability.

temperatures and considering the size and thickness of it. But I quickly understood the do’s and don’ts throughout the build.”

One takeaway had to do with the framing, Bull explained. “Something that I did take note of is that the product is very precise— so precise that it’s important to pay special attention to the framing materials used. I would say probably one thing that I would do differently is pay more attention to that. You just have to be extra accurate.” The homeowners also had a very important request and right away this became Bull’s favorite part of the project. The deck needed to be accessible by wheelchair for a special needs family member. “This really inspired me to create something perfect this family.” With this special request in mind, Bull got started on 5,000-sq. ft. project. What makes the deck stand out right off the bat is the overall design and format of the deck, which features an abstract walkway over a small pond leading into a larger, open space, and wraps around the side of the house.

“The deck was originally built as a raised deck. So we reduced it to ground level. Any part of the deck that could not be reduced had a built-in ramp. With the way it was designed before, if you wanted to be in the sun you had to go to a specific area that required lifting the wheelchair every time. Now with the accessible walkways we’ve built, he can move around so much easier,” said Bull. “We created more access to the bamboo gardens for an even more enjoyable experience.”

Bull and the homeowner worked on the deck design concept with a landscape architect and then turned his concept into 3D renderings, framing plans and modified the design to fit the conditions and homeowner’s wishes. Bull also worked with designer and co-owner Chad Schroeder, the 13-year industry veteran who handles all the design, drafting. The duo co-founded the company in 2016 and the men have been working as partners ever since. This teamwork dynamic is what helped Bull and Schroeder create a project of this size and meet every need of the customer. “Team work makes the dream work,” he laughed.

THE DECK spans a massive 5,000 square feet and rests over a pond, wrapping around the side of the property.

If you ask Bull, he’ll tell you that the deck’s larger format and the durability of the overall project is another feat that really makes it stand out. “After speaking with the homeowners and learning that they move furniture around frequently, I knew they needed something really durable that wasn’t going to scratch easily.

“The 12” planks also make it much easier for a wheelchair to move around compared to the typical 3” planks. I’ve known Joel from Monarch for a while and he offered to show me a sample. I immediately liked the look and feel of it and I scheduled some time for him to meet with the homeowner. They loved it.

“Working with a new product can be challenging, but I knew it was going to be worth it in the end.”

And building with the new MonaDeck, Bull had the challenge of being one of the fi rst, which meant troubleshooting could have been another major challenge. “So far the product seems vary durable and it was easy to install,” he said.

“It’s so important to do research and know the ins and outs of a product line before diving into it for the fi rst time—for the good of the customer.” In this case, this customer’s needs were nonnegotiable.

“I was really happy to be able to build the right deck for a special needs person,” Bull smiled. Seeing the expression on their face when the deck was used for the fi rst time was by far my favorite part of the entire build.”