Universal Design

Kitchen Design : Episode KDE-304 -- More Projects »

Universal design, which allows access by children, adults or handicapped, doesn't necessarily have to have a utilitarian look. Host Joan Kohn visits the kitchen of Bill and Jan Brown, who designed a kitchen with the help of Mark White of Kitchen Encounters that is not only pleasing to look at, but pleasing for Bill, who is in a wheelchair, to use.

Although this kitchen was designed for universal access, it sacrificed nothing in style and aesthetics.

The bay windows in the seating area are low enough to be enjoyed from wheelchair height.

The three-level island has a low counter housing a sink and microwave for access from a wheelchair.

This grouping of island and counters are spaced for the easy movement of a wheelchair, an important element of universal design.

Open floor space and wide-enough doors to accommodate wheelchairs are important considerations in universal design.
Pull-out drawers instead of cabinets allow a wheelchair to be positioned in front of the drawer and all contents can be reached.
Floors on the same level are important when designing with a wheel chair in mind .
Lowered light switches and raised outlets make access from a wheelchair easy .
Controls on the front of a stove make it unnecessary to reach across a hot burner to turn off the stove.
Windows with lowered sills make the view accessible to someone seated in a wheelchair .
Counters with different heights and lowered workstations are included in the kitchen's universal design.

Guests
Mark White
Kitchen and Bath Designer, Kitchen Encounters
202 Legion Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-263-4900
Fax: 410-263-9469
Also in this Episode

Kitchen Design : Episode KDE-304
•	Cookie Kitchen
•	Universal Design
•	Fantasy Tour

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