Feature Renovation: Inspired Accessible Living
On March 17, 2012, from Mont Tremblant, Quebec, the Canadian Home Builders Association announced the winners for the National SAM Awards competition.
We are thrilled to say Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd. is once again a National Winner!
Best Kitchen under the Home Renovation Awards Category
Inspired Accessible Kitchen project.
"Winning a National SAM Award is a major accomplishment within our industry." CHBA President Ron Olson said. "Every award recognized an outstanding success and I congratulate all of the winners".
The Challenge:
When a motor cross accident landed this father, husband, homeowner in a wheelchair, renovations were a necessity if they were to remain in their home with their young family. The dream was to create space that didn’t look like it was designed to be accessible, with ample room to manoeuvre the wheelchair and function with ease in an open concept kitchen and living space.
The original kitchen was central to the space, but divided by the Dining Room and Hallway preventing light transfer and traffic flow. The existing patio door had a raised threshold creating a bumpy exit, and its position in the dinette was awkward due to furniture requirements. The property and pond were barely visible from a seated position, and required alterations for visual checks on child safety.
The Solution:
Jennifer Dainard, Designer, Project Manager with Pioneer Craftsmen began the planning process with our clients discussing their wants, needs, desires. After a few meetings followed by some research and revisions, Jennifer was able to present 3D designs to our client to clearly illustrate what the finished space would look and feel like. Then the construction began and the finished project is everything they hoped for!
One partition wall with decorative cut-outs provides privacy and backing for the Family Room sofa while allowing light to travel through to the hallway. The fireplace is now situated to take in the sights of both inside and out. The choice of hardwood floors unifies the space and creates a smooth, safe surface to traverse. The Kitchen was relocated and now offers wide open traffic flow and sight lines making daily life much less challenging. The previous Kitchen sink window became a secondary door with wheelchair sill for access to the deck, and a window added to the new Dinette area improves the view of the laneway for security while providing yet more natural light. Cooking is more pleasant and safe with downdraft venting beneath the cook top, tempered glass mirror above and pot filler. Pocket doors conceal knee space. A swivelling pantry can be accessed from both sides, the microwave sits below the counter and the oven is raised to an appropriate height. Features like pull-down shelving, slide-out cutting board and lower work surface with prep sink at the island allow for universal use & easy casual meals together.
And so, after our client’s lives were suddenly transformed, their home has now been transformed to meet their specific needs. Barriers have been removed and their daily lives enriched.
Thanks Andre and Vanessa for letting us enter your project into the Ontario Awards of Distinction! It has been named one of 3 finalists.
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Copyright © Pioneer Craftsmen Ltd. 2011.