STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

ROSEMARIE ROSSETTI, PH.D.  LEADING DISABILITY INCLUSION EXPERT AND STAR GUEST LECTURER IN UNIVERSAL DESIGN COURSE

Rosemarie Rossetti is the perfect speaker for dozens of contexts, such as educating: architects, interior designers, general contractors, engineers and remodelers.

Her expertise is specific enough to speak to skilled technicians but it also is straightforward enough to entertain and captivate everyday lay persons.

Rossetti is an expert storyteller. She introduces Universal Design, via her dream house, with the perfect blend of details, beauty, practicality, warmth and curb appeal.

We teach Universal Design to graduate and upper level undergraduate students at the University of Miami School of Architecture – a top 50 program out of more than 500 schools of architecture.

Rossetti’s 45-minute presentation, via Zoom, had students at full attention, writing notes, typing information and nodding in approval.

Even though each of them has several design studios under their belt, you could see that those who will create tomorrow’s built environment were learning the full value of design that is universal, flexible and sustainable.

Rossetti deftly answered an array of questions, some very technical and architecture-oriented, with ease.

A lot of people (unfortunately) think the message of a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility will either be sad and drab, or focused on only inspiring without depth behind it. Rossetti busts the myth by simply presenting herself as a diverse person who learned how to expertly design, build and live in a home that accommodates all.

She convinces everyone in the homebuilding industry that there is value in aging in place and that her home is not for some fractionally small market (that means resale value is poor).