Accessible Design: The Cooking And Storage Centre
This article visits my first accessible design project for a client to be able to maneuver their wheelchair equipment in a standard condo while still living in place. This is usually a very personal journey for a client with very specific targets to achieve. In fact this project inspired me work on the 4th edition of the Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines with Support Spaces and Accessibility. There are 5 articles in this series I posted in 2014 which covers all the considerations from space planning, to bathrooms and kitchens. The hard lessons that I learned with this project and applied in the work with the guidelines led to some international recognition as a Top Innovator of 2022.
An Accessible Kitchen: The Cooking & Storage Centre
While I'm out with family in Manitoba, progress continues over at our Mole Hill project. True to fashion, small space planning for a wheelchair accessible client doesn't stop and continues through the construction process. The cooking and storage centre is no exception. Just a few weeks ago we discovered that the planned location for the vent-hood was not going to happen because there is this huge 6" cast-iron pipe directly behind where I planned to exhaust. Normally, in a single-family home, this wouldn't be so much of a concern, but with a strata condominium we never know what we will find in the walls. Obviously this project is no exception.
After we adjusted the kitchen slightly, I was able to keep the plan with a few small modifications to the cabinetry and layout. I always say that design is not about the visual, it's about negotiation and it's unfortunate that we lost the chimney-style vent-hood but I think the overall function will work out better for this client (less dusting in areas they can not reach.)
The wall-ovens were carefully planned and measured against the physical requirements of the client. With the middle of the wall oven being just at 44", it allows the oven door to pull open so that the client can physically reach the rack of the oven with an oven mitt. The choice of a 24" wide oven instead of a 30" wide oven was both for space planning and for point-of-use, volume, and frequency of baking. The landing zones to the left and the right provide quick placement of hot items to prevent scalding and ease the functional use.
molehill_kitchenrangewall
The microwave was placed BELOW the wall oven because it would be out of the reach of the client if it were to be placed above. This way they can reach down and up, rather than up and down with possible spills. My only complaint about microwaves is that they STILL only swing on the left and not on the right. I know a drawer microwave solution may first appear to be a better option, but with a wheelchair in the way, range of reach highly considered, and then the location of the landing zones, a drawer would actually be a hinderance.
You'll note that there is the crazy/weird run of cabinets to the right of the wall-ovens. The client loves to craft and with a adequately placed receptacle in combination with the cabinets 9" above the floor (for the foot rests of the chair) I'm sure we will see hand-made Christmas cards this year.
To visualize the colours, the purple-naturalistic wallpaper will appear on the inset of the dining room, flanked with hits of purple paint, and the base cabinets will be a blue/grey with wall cabinets in a sharp white. Counter surfaces are, of course, Cambria Bellingham. Here's the material board as a reminder:
The front entry has been widened, with yet another structural/mechanical surprise behind the walls. Lighting switches needed to be relocated.
That glorious sink wall with all the bells and whistles - obviously yet to be added, but removing the partition will mean NO CORNERS!
The amazing roll-in shower/wet room. That drain (and the toilet) wasn't moved a single inch because of the concrete slab and space planning the bathroom with the existing was challenging but it will work out brilliantly for the client.
Now and then: from 2013 to 2022
When I first met the client, the same fundamentals in the design process we observed then is how we operate now - almost a whole decade later. At the time this could only be a Full-Service renovation design project with specific budget requirements. Since then, with the advancements of technology and new modes of working, we can provide this type of design service and support in a variety of ways across regions, provinces and countries. Our detailed construction drawings provide a qualified experienced contractor what they need to order and implement.
For their Fall issue; Kitchen and Bath Design News Magazine recognized Corey as a Top Innovator of 2022 for his work with the Guidelines we mentioned. He is the only Canadian or 24 designers being featured.