Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Turning an Old Flat into a Wheelchair-Friendly Home
This light-filled apartment strikes a balance between cosiness and creating freedom of movement
“A house without obstacles and corners” is how designers Charmaine Wong and Jacob Ishak of Chark conceptualised this five-room HDB flat. It was designed to fulfil a a very specific requirement – to allow the owner to move around effortlessly in her wheelchair – and for the home to become a space that facilitates the process of healing. “The owner had a bad fall and fractured her spine, and this has affected her ability to walk. After rehab, she is able to use a wheelchair to get around. She expressed her desire to be able to recover and walk again,” Wong says. With this in mind, the designers set out for a total rehaul to create an apartment that is wheelchair-accessible, as well as an enjoyable and family-oriented home.
Flooring throughout the apartment was levelled to ensure there wouldn’t be any abrupt drop in floor levels, further reinforcing barrier-free accessibility. They also opted for timber-like vinyl flooring for almost all the spaces to promote a child-friendly surface where the young kid can run and play freely.
“The former wet kitchen was reduced [in size] to make way for the dry kitchen, the dining space, and a direct path leading from the main entrance to the bedrooms,” explains Wong.
The designers built a full-height cabinet along the hall in the same white-and-grey scheme, for storage and display place for family mementos. Across it is a play and study nook for the little boy.
The designers built a full-height cabinet along the hall in the same white-and-grey scheme, for storage and display place for family mementos. Across it is a play and study nook for the little boy.
The designers worked closely with the owners to ensure that physical limitations were addressed. “The owners were both involved in the design and renovation process. At times, the female owner would give the space a test run in her wheelchair to show the contractor that proportion and dimensions are important to facilitate her everyday movement and carrying out of chores at home,” says Wong.
Instead of a typical standalone dining area, the designers went for a peninsula counter and wrapped it around an existing column. It is strategically located between the wet kitchen and the living room. “This is to allow the helper, while working in the kitchen, to look through the glass sliding doors and assist the female owner upon being gestured. The owner does not desire to use alarms or any sound device,” says Wong.
Inside the kitchen, pale wood cabinetry brings a sense of lightness to the space. Geometric patterned tiles are used for the backsplash to add visual interest.
“The kitchen is designed to be read as part of the living and dining space, so the floor tile was specially selected to match the timber-like vinyl flooring,” says Wong.
“The kitchen is designed to be read as part of the living and dining space, so the floor tile was specially selected to match the timber-like vinyl flooring,” says Wong.
The minimalist approach continues in the private spaces, particularly in the master bedroom. The same warm and bright setting imparts a tranquil atmosphere.
The bed frame and bedside tables are designed as one piece, occupying the whole expanse of a wall. In a way, it creates a seamless visual connection with the light wood flooring, and at the same time, subtly punctuating the pale walls.
The bed frame and bedside tables are designed as one piece, occupying the whole expanse of a wall. In a way, it creates a seamless visual connection with the light wood flooring, and at the same time, subtly punctuating the pale walls.
At one end of the bedhead is a built-in small vanity area. It has a table with a flip-top mirror, for the owner’s convenience.
As lightness is very much ingrained in this home’s design, the designers ensured that the bathrooms are also bright and airy. Large frameless mirrors, used as cabinet fronts, help visually enlarge the space and maximise the concealed lighting’s reach.
Future space dynamics were also considered. “We customised the bathroom wall-mounted mirror cabinet to be de-mountable for future height adjustment,” says Wong.
Future space dynamics were also considered. “We customised the bathroom wall-mounted mirror cabinet to be de-mountable for future height adjustment,” says Wong.
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What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
What is your favourite feature in this home? Let us know in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Who lives here: Married couple in their mid-30s and their young son
Location: Delta Avenue
Size: 110 square metres (1,184 square feet)
Project duration: 5 months (2.5 months design, 2.5 months renovation)
Located in an old point block, the HDB flat enjoys plenty of natural light and cross-ventilation. The designers emphasised these design aspects by choosing a minimalist approach. “We were inspired by the Japanese minimalistic way of living – open plan, simple, and clutter-free,” says Wong. Walls are painted in hues of white and pale grey, allowing ample natural light to bounce off and enhance the airy ambience.
Existing arches were also highlighted through timber-look laminate cladding. “These ‘timber’ arches were created to link the various pockets of areas as one continuous space,” she says. The rounded corners of the arches are also replicated in the furniture and surfaces around the living space.