| Enable Your Kitchen: A Look at Universal Design |
From "Enable Your Home"
episode DEYH-101 |
|
|
Universal design is the creation of spaces usable by many different people, regardless of size, physical ability or age. It's this type of design that will be incorporated into Bonnie Hough's new kitchen."Kitchen and baths reflect hundreds of years of tradition," says architect Benjamin Clavan of the AIA. "Only in higher-end homes are rooms often being modified to meet users' needs." As a result, many physically-challenged or aging homeowners are taking matters into their own hands. Good design," Clavan continues, "is about finding answers to problems."
Bonnie wasn't only concerned with her own physical comfort, she also wanted a kitchen in which many different ages of friends and family--all with different attributes and physical abilities--could feel at home and enjoy the space. For this reason, the Handyman Connection--a local contracting company--installed non-slip 12" x 12" tile (which also provides a smoother surface due to fewer grout lines) in the kitchen. Finally, special lighting is installed to help make the most of Bonnie's limited vision, while additional decorative features make the space warm and inviting, and not at all cold or institutional--creating an inspirational space for Bonnie to pursue her love of cooking. Thanks to careful planning and modification, Bonnie Hough has a kitchen that can be enjoyed with friends and family for years to come.
The solution to Bonnie's sink problem? The installation of a height-adjustable sink controlled by a special mechanism. The use of this special mechanism--which runs about $1,000--isn't limited only to the sink. In Bonnie's new kitchen environment, the cabinets can also be raised and lowered.One feature especially helpful to Bonnie is the addition of a faucet near the stove top. This allows Bonnie to fill pots easily, while making the most of her physical strengths. The new stove has also been lowered to allow Bonnie to cook food without endangering herself.
A special mechanism attached to the cabinets allows Bonnie to adjust the height with the touch of a button.
| 
Bonnie has found new independence and efficiency thanks to the kitchen's new design.
| 
Taking matters into her own hands: Bonnie asked her environmental planner to include this special faucet.
|
RESOURCES :
Adjustable-Height Cabinet Mechanism (AD-AS)
AD-AD
Website: AD-AS
GUESTS :
Benjamin Clavan
Architect, AIA
E-mail: benjamic@earthink.net
Robert Rogers, Handyman
The Handyman Connection
4561 Mission Gorge Place, Suite J
San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: 619-584-5555
Jacob Michel, Handyman
The Handyman Connection
4561 Mission Gorge Place, Suite J
San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: 619-584-5555
Lorraine Walker
Lighting Specialist
Lamps Plus
E-mail: lorenwalk@aol.com
|
)
)
)
