Houzz Tour: Accessible Design Makes Wheelchair Living Easier
A disability consultant teams up with his brothers to build his own five-star home
As a national board member for CCS Disability Action, and now a disability consultant, Stew Sexton knew a thing or two about designing spaces that worked for people in wheelchairs. When he and his wife Doreen were ready to replace their dated old cottage near the sea, he worked with Lifemark, the independent design certification for homes that use universal design principles, and his architect and builder brothers, Andrew and Richard. The trio created a home that will work for the couple into their old age – with a style and aplomb that makes it a ‘poster home’ for the five-star Lifemark rating.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stew Sexton, a disability consultant, and his wife, Doreen, an accountant
Location: Eastbourne, Wellington, NZ
House size: 180 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The house uses universal design principles to make it accessible to people in wheelchairs
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Stew Sexton, a disability consultant, and his wife, Doreen, an accountant
Location: Eastbourne, Wellington, NZ
House size: 180 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The house uses universal design principles to make it accessible to people in wheelchairs
Stew says it was a no-brainer to use Lifemark principles. Andrew had grown up with Stew using a wheelchair, so had an idea of what he needed, but the brief was tight. First on the list for Stew was internal access from the garage, plenty of turning space for a wheelchair and wide hallways. The entry lobby now leads to the stairway, and a water-powered lift at the end of the hall, the only carpeted space in the house. The house’s odd wedge shape fits snugly into the hill, with space for a ground-floor courtyard and upstairs deck.
Early on the Sextons agreed to allocate the ground floor to private use – a guest room, with a laundry and bathroom, and the master suite – and make the upper floor for living and work. Wide sliding doors make it easy for Stew to access the rooms.
Stew was determined that the bathroom would not look like a hospital, but still be easy to use. He opted not to install bars for lifting into the shower or toilet, and specified a regular toilet. However, studs in the walls will allow retrofitting if he requires bars later (he is on a search for smart design).
The bath surround, with the look of a luxury spa, is actually a seat that Stew can slide along to get into the shower. There is no lip on the shower floor, both basin and toilet are regular fixtures that he can reach comfortably from his wheelchair.
Andrew’s design has made the most of odd wedges of space: glass doors access a tiny drying courtyard; a wardrobe next door has clothes racks at only a metre off the ground. Stew is delighted that for the first time he can hang his own clothes.
Because the house is close to the road, Andrew used breaks in the horizontal cladding to create a shutter over the master bedroom window. The garage door is disguised in the siding too.
Upstairs, the brothers wanted to make the living floor as open as possible to bring in light, and to allow Stew easy mobility (no corridors, or doors). Andrew designed a shell into which a joinery pod creates the various zones. The tallest part of the pod holds the lift, the kitchen pantry and fridge, and even a nook for the piano.
Key to the success of this was the wall of glass facing the views and the sunset. Rather than waste space on a little-used deck (those infamous winds), Andrew pushed the living room out with a wall of double-glazed sliding glass. Internal glass balustrades mean the doors can be opened up on calm days. A small deck is tucked into the back of the property away from the wind, perfect for Stew’s barbecue and raised beds for the vegie garden.
Although there is a mass of steel underpinning the open-plan space, Andrew refined the finishes, using a furniture-like Tasmanian ash throughout. Since Stew is a chef by trade and likes baking, he was heavily involved in refining the kitchen design.
Andrew’s touch is the central island, completely open along one side so Stew’s chair can fit under, that transitions from work bench to dining table. Cupboards line the back of the island and the sleek extractor is a sculptural statement. Andrew’s space-expanding trick is a band of mirror along the entire southern wall of the room, which bounces views to the back of the space.
The induction stovetop is flush with the bench to make sliding pots on and off easy. Stew admits he did take some convincing to give up his beloved gas hobs, and does point out that for people with poor vision, an induction hob’s electronic controls are hard to see.
The induction stovetop is flush with the bench to make sliding pots on and off easy. Stew admits he did take some convincing to give up his beloved gas hobs, and does point out that for people with poor vision, an induction hob’s electronic controls are hard to see.
The storage pod has a second sink, a below-bench microwave and sleek stainless-steel benchtops and splashback. Stew specified recessed handles so there is nothing to catch as he wheels past, and easy-close drawers to reach into the deepest recesses. The Fisher & Paykel oven has retractable shelving so Stew can safely handle hot trays, and the layout allows Stew and Doreen to cook together.
A skylight brings light into the back corner of the kitchen and, just to the left, the piano room.
Stew and Doreen both run their businesses from home. A half wall and plenty of built-in storage means they can enjoy the sea views from their side-by-side desks, but not see work from the social end of the room.
The wall of ash makes a feature of the wedge shape where the house meets the cliff. The back-deck door is just to the right of the picture.
Cunningly, the wall houses a drop-down bed for extra guests.
Tucked behind the lift, there is even room for a piano.
While he’s always been independent ("If I can’t do something, I’ll find a way to do it,") Stew says the house has made life easier. From being able to get out of the car in the dry, to having plugs and switches at only 500 millimetres off the ground so he doesn’t have to struggle to bend over (or fall out of his chair). But these are easier to use for everyone, he points out.
While he’s always been independent ("If I can’t do something, I’ll find a way to do it,") Stew says the house has made life easier. From being able to get out of the car in the dry, to having plugs and switches at only 500 millimetres off the ground so he doesn’t have to struggle to bend over (or fall out of his chair). But these are easier to use for everyone, he points out.
“Not only is the home easier for me to live in, but it also has benefits for others,” he says. “The larger spaces are great for social occasions and the benches and cooktop are a good height for most people too,” he says.
While he has not designed other Lifemark houses, Stew is consciously future-proofing certain things for clients – adding space for lifts, allowing wide turning spaces and smooth access from one floor surface to another – so people can stay in their homes as they age or become infirm.
While Stew’s plans were assessed by Lifemark to gain the five-star rating, he believes the special features could be used anywhere, and added less than 1 per cent to the build (the water-pump for the lift, for example, required drilling 3 metres into the ground). “This house would work for anybody – baby boomers, kids,” says Stew. “I’m staying here until they carry me out in a box.”
TELL US
What features would you need to add to your house so you can age in place? Share with us in the Comments below.
While he has not designed other Lifemark houses, Stew is consciously future-proofing certain things for clients – adding space for lifts, allowing wide turning spaces and smooth access from one floor surface to another – so people can stay in their homes as they age or become infirm.
While Stew’s plans were assessed by Lifemark to gain the five-star rating, he believes the special features could be used anywhere, and added less than 1 per cent to the build (the water-pump for the lift, for example, required drilling 3 metres into the ground). “This house would work for anybody – baby boomers, kids,” says Stew. “I’m staying here until they carry me out in a box.”
TELL US
What features would you need to add to your house so you can age in place? Share with us in the Comments below.
Typical of the area, the 720-square-metre site had only 90 square metres of flat land, right up against the road on one side and a cliff on the other. And while the views were spectacular, the site was often buffeted by Wellington’s legendary winds.