Concept for the Kitchen
The primary client was an adult male, age 80, using a power chair, medically defined as quadriplegic, but with limited use of upper body, arms, and hands. The original kitchen limited his ability to function. In fact, one morning he complained that it took him an hour to make breakfast! When asked what he had made, (thinking Eggs Benedict at least) he replied toast and coffee!
This new kitchen design fostered his independence, self-esteem, and indulged his passion for cooking. It also created a functional, safe, accessible kitchen with areas and appliances ergonomically correct for him and his ambulatory spouse. This new kitchen design also promotes ease of maintenance, not only routine cleaning, but ensuring materials were resistant to damage from the power chair and easily repairable. And last, but equally important, it promotes a design aesthetic, avoiding an institutional look.
