A new home shaped around the lives of its residents.
Written by Sarah McCarthy, Access Consultant
In 2016, Architecture & Access was engaged by Housing Choices Australia (HCA) to undertake an accessibility audit of a disability housing property in Mill Park. That audit marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration with HCA that, ten years later, culminated in the relocation of four residents with disability from an old, no-longer-fit-for-purpose house into a beautifully designed, light-filled and functional new home in Reservoir.
At the heart of this project are three residents — Helen, Rodney, and Tony — who have lived together for more than 30 years and share a strong bond with each other. When HCA determined that their existing home could no longer meet their needs, based on evidence provided through the accessibility audit, the search began for a suitable site on which to build a new home tailored to their requirements.
With a location sourced, architectural firm Martino Leah Architecture designed the home to meet the SDA standards in the High Physical Support category. Throughout the project, the residents were actively involved in the design of the house, selection of finishes, and each chose a feature wall colour for their bedroom, helping to create a home that reflected their individual personalities with one participant having a chicken coop in his garden.
Architecture & Access’ accredited SDA assessors reviewed the drawings at detailed design stage and provided both SDA assessments and accessibility reviews of the documentation. Based on the recommendations contained within these reports, the architects were able to refine the design to ensure compliance with the stringent requirements of the SDA Design Standard.
The house was designed with a bedroom and accessible ensuite for each participant. The open plan living and kitchen areas were both spatial and functional for people with disability. Height adjustable kitchen benches, side opening ovens and under bench knee clearance are provided within the kitchens and all doors are provided with a 950mm clear open width to meet the SDA Standard requirements.
A second assessment was undertaken of the construction documentation and when the drawings illustrated compliance could be achieved, Design Stage certificates were submitted to the NDIA to begin the process of registering the house as an SDA dwelling.
During the construction phase, Architecture & Access undertook a frame-stage inspection to verify that all spatial requirements were being achieved. This included measuring room dimensions, door clearances and circulation spaces, as well as inspecting ensuite wall linings, the locations of light switches and power outlets, and the positioning of bathroom fittings and fixtures.
Following the inspection, an access advice was provided to the builder outlining any identified issues. Addressing these items at this early stage enables rectification before the installation of plasterboard, tiles, doors and bathroom fixtures, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of making changes later in the construction stage.
Several months later, Architecture & Access conducted the final inspection of the completed dwelling. Working closely with HCA and construction firm, Better Living Group throughout the process, the team ensured all SDA requirements were met, with only minor adjustments required. Final as-built certification was then prepared and submitted to the NDIA and the client to complete the registration process.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was attending the opening celebration of the new home. In our work, it is uncommon to meet the end users of the buildings we assess; however, on this occasion we had the opportunity to meet the three residents who now call the house home. Their excitement and gratitude for a purpose-built, thoughtfully designed and high-quality living environment was both heartening and inspiring.
Having waited patiently for their new accommodation for a considerable time, it was clear from the reactions of both residents and carers that the finished home had far exceeded their expectations based on the reactions of Helen, Rodney, and Tony and their carers. Furthermore, it is a home that supports independence and quality of life for the people who have shared their lives together for more than three decades.
Image 1 (feature): Project stakeholders including the new residents celebrating the house opening
Image 2: Open plan kitchen meeting SDA Standard requirements
Image 3. Chicken coop installed, as requested by a resident
