Stunning Home
This was one of our most exciting projects. Our client needed a large 6 bedroom detached rural property with extensive grounds adapting to provide a family home and wheelchair accessibility. The design needed to incorporate the differing needs of three generations of family members and subtle accessibility.
Requirements
Accessibility
The property needed to provide wheelchair accessible accommodation to both the ground and first floors. The ground floor presented many difficulties due to numerous level changes, which needed ‘designing out’ to create the safe, level and convenient access required.
Fun and Social
Successful accessible design should not forget that the home is a place of security, somewhere to socialise and have fun. This property was no different and the clients’ brief included a bar area and swimming pool. The swimming pool area also assisted with the client’s therapy and rehabilitation.
Annexe for Family
The property and grounds were to provide a home for three generations of the same family. The family unit needed a separate annexe for the grandparents. This meant they were close for important family time but an element of privacy was maintained for all the family.
The design solution
The ground floor was redesigned to provide easy access to all rooms by removing the various level changes. Internal doors were widened to provide the perception of greater space and easy access for the client when using a wheelchair.
Access to the first floor has been created using a through floor platform lift. This leads directly to the clients’ bedroom and adjoining this is a luxury accessible bathroom (with specialist bath). The property will also benefit from certain assistive technology, including automated blinds and lights.
The existing gravel drive was resurfaced with permeable tarmac to allow convenient and safe wheelchair access. The patio levels and areas were redesigned so that ramps provided access to all levels and were sympathetic to the overall aesthetics of the property. A new pool building was also designed to provide a facility for hydrotherapy.
