2013 MBA Winner Special Purpose Dwelling

2013 Master Builders Association NT in the following categories: Winner of Excellence in Building And Construction Award Special Purpose Dwelling. ( This was a conversion from abled to disabled use for the client)

We were commissioned by the owner and the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria to change the owner’s home from a standard dwelling to wheelchair user friendly.

Comprehensive consultation occurred between the owner, SAR Contracting and Hodgkison Architects for the design of this home to be aesthetically appealing and wheelchair user friendly as a lot of the requirements or design decisions were not practical for the owner who is wheelchair bound.

The plans were altered on several occasions to suit the needs of the client.

The existing bathroom was demolished and floor required extensive grinding and cutting to get a fall for the laying of the non-slip vinyl as no step up could be done to allow the wheelchair direct and unfettered access.

The bathroom was then fitted out with the required disability accessories, shower, vanity and toilet.

The existing kitchen had a high bench with servery and the bench tops were all too high.

The original brief was to just cut the bench top off lower the cupboards and provide a usable corner cupboard.

In my opinion this was not a suitable or workable option and discussed providing a custom made kitchen with the architects and owner as the most appropriate option.

A new kitchen was designed with the owner and we provided a Lemans corner pull out unit that can be operated with one hand, and a kick-board in line with the cupboards, so that if he had a leg spasm his could not injure his feet or drive his wheelchair into it.

The bench top was lowered to 800mm and an opening was allowed for under the cook-top so the owner can get his wheelchair underneath it to cook a meal.

A drop down spice rack was incorporated as was pull out pantry doors and shelving for easy access.

Non slip grade tiles were laid in the kitchen area and laundry with the remainder of the floor retiled and the floor was drummy and delaminated.

The entrance door locks were all changed to be operated from one key and the locks bought down to a height to be accessed while sitting. The roller door was changed to a remote control unit. The electrical board was updated.

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