Invisia Inclusively Designed Bath Assist Products
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 the on 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 Home: Hardware
Small spaces are always a challenge to design and they're even more of a challenge when the client is in a wheelchair. This is why accessible and inclusive design needs hardware and assist bars that meet specific needs. For this type of project, it is all about the clients needs - and those needs take time to detail in an intake process, In 2013 this took the better part of a year to plan with some assistance of the support team of the clients working with me. I showcased this brand in 2014 because they specialise in accessible and inclusive design. I was extremely pleased to find this company at KBIS at the time: Invisia offers lifestyle equipment that do not look like your typical grab bar and assisted bathing equipment. They are actually stylish and designed to support up to 500 lbs for most of the products. Check out the cool stuff:
Courtesy Invisia
Courtesy Invisia - A shower shelf with the grab bar, but it doesn't look like one!
Courtesy Invisia - A shower ring, instead of two grab bars, and it does the same thing with more human function in mind instead of a straight bar.
Courtesy Invisia - The best for last, this tissue holder with the grab bar integrated. So ingenious.
Now and then: from 2013 to 2022
When I first met the client I was looking for this product, 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.
We will continue our work with accessibility in 2023 with reviewing more brands like this that make living in place not feel like a hospital or institution.