The Brief
PLG were delighted to assist a young girl living with cerebral palsy, a condition stemming from birth-related injuries. While she possesses some mobility, she primarily relies on a wheelchair. The family’s previous residence was a multi-storey house, which posed significant challenges, particularly as her mother had to carry her up and down the stairs. This prompted the family to seek PLG’s expertise in finding and purchasing a suitable property near Portsmouth, with PLG overseeing the adaptation works from start to finish.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was to find a property that could be transformed into a fully accessible home, tailored to the unique needs of the young girl. The new residence needed to eliminate the difficulties posed by the former multi-storey house, ensuring safety and ease of access.
The chosen property had to allow for extensive adaptations, including modifications to facilitate wheelchair use throughout the home. This required a thorough search and a creative approach to refurbishment and adaptation.
The Solution
Our dedicated property team embarked on a relentless search, resulting in the acquisition of a 1950s bungalow, a probate property requiring significant refurbishment. Despite its initial state, the bungalow was identified for its potential to become a bespoke home. The comprehensive plan for adaptation included:
- Expanding the side and rear of the property, which incorporated custom-made bathing facilities as well as flexible bedroom and therapy spaces.
- Refurbishing the existing property to provide guest/care suites as well as home office facilities, providing the family with flexible accommodation that can adapt to the changing needs of both the client and her carers.
- Designing a fully accessible kitchen area to accommodate the entire family and providing our client with the opportunity to be fully involved in preparing and cooking meals.
- Making external modifications to ensure level access to the front and rear of the property as well as sufficient parking provisions for the family and support workers.
- Grading the rear patio and garden to provide safe, easy access across the whole of the property as well as opportunities for our client to be involved in leisure activities and gardening.
The entire structure underwent a complete overhaul, adding new extensions to create a more accommodating and compatible living space.
The Result
The transformed property now provides the young girl with unhindered access to all areas, significantly enhancing the safety and comfort of the family. The specialised master suite, designed specifically for her, includes a level-access bathroom with a height-adjustable bath, an accessible bedroom, and a therapeutic space with direct access to the garden.
This new environment not only meets her current requirements but also offers a secure and comfortable setting for the entire family for the long term. PLG takes pride in contributing to the creation of a home that will foster our young client’s autonomy and well-being, enabling her to thrive in a safe and accessible environment.
This project exemplifies the profound impact of thoughtful, tailored design in meeting the specific needs of individuals and their families.
