HouseWurks

Specializing in Home Remodeling, HouseWurks of Zionsville has been remodeling and building custom homes since 2005. Whether building, remodeling or simply adding on to your home, the concept of universal design is something Jim Barber, founder of HouseWurks Custom Homes and Renovations in Zionsville, recommends incorporating into your plans. Home designs that maximize safety and security are increasingly important for seniors and their families. Universal Design ensures people of all ages and ability levels can live comfortably and safely in their home. Housewurks has the Certified Aging in Place Specialist certification, a program developed by the National Association of Home Builders. Barber says the universal design approach incorporates safety and independence into all areas of the home. "Our goal is to help people make their homes work for them for a lifetime, regardless of their age, income or abilities," Barber says. "(Universal design) isn't just for the elderly or handicapped. It accommodates all family members at all stages of life, all of whom benefit from homes that pose fewer restrictions on daily activities. With universal design, you want to have a plan so that any of your friends or relatives that may have disabilities can access your house like anybody else would," Barber says. "You want your friends and family to feel welcome to your home." Jim Barber received his MBA from Butler University. Along with his passion for remodeling homes, Jim is an avid marathon swimmer and has an impressive amount of long-distance races under his belt. Beginning in 1988 with a 45 KM marathon swim around Manhattan Island, Jim has continued to push himself with marathon swims around the world. Jim received the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming in 2010. Jim is currently working towards becoming part of an elite group of swimmers to achieve the Ocean’s Seven. The Ocean’s Seven consists of seven long-distance open-water swims and is considered the marathon swimming equivalent of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge. The discipline and perseverance that he exudes in his swims are applied in every aspect of his life, personally and professionally. He is extremely goal-oriented. “I treat my projects like I do my swims,” says Barber. “I’m not finished until I get out on the other side of it. I think that it’s important in our daily lives to have a set of objectives and goals. You have to wake up to something.”