Status
Detailed Design
Type
Extension and Refurbishment
Key Features
Full Wheelchair Accessible
Therapy Room
Sustainable Design
Year
2025 - Present
The Brief
Ridgeview is a renovation and extension designed for a young client, Fin, who has severe spastic quadriplegia and requires 24-hour care. Developed in close collaboration with his family and care team, the project set out to create a home that supports complex care needs while preserving warmth, dignity, and a strong sense of belonging.
The ambition was to design a space that feels truly domestic rather than clinical, a home that supports independence where possible, enables high-quality care, and adapts as needs evolve over time.
The Challenge
The project required full wheelchair accessibility, hoist-assisted transfers, and spaces capable of accommodating long-term and changing care requirements. At the same time, the home needed to retain the character and privacy of a family environment, including integrated accommodation for full-time carers.
Another key challenge was balancing medical and practical needs with a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The design needed to avoid an institutional feel while remaining safe, efficient, and comfortable for both the client and carers.
Access to outdoor space also presented challenges. Fin enjoys being outside, but skin sensitivity and complex medical needs limit exposure to sunlight, requiring a carefully designed, shaded environment that would still allow fresh air and family time. Additionally, spaces were needed to support sensory activities and therapy in a way that felt natural within everyday family life.
The Solution
The completed design provides a carefully considered, fully accessible home that balances functionality with comfort and emotional wellbeing. A dedicated accessible bedroom and en-suite support both comfort and long-term care needs, detailed to feel calm and homely while allowing flexibility for the future.
Carer accommodation has been thoughtfully integrated, enabling continuous support while preserving the privacy and character of a family home.
The overall aesthetic was developed collaboratively with the family and care team, using materials, lighting, and spatial planning to create a warm, welcoming environment that promotes comfort and familiarity.
A wrap-around canopy provides sheltered outdoor space, allowing safe access to fresh air and natural light while reflecting the farm-style character the family enjoys.
A multi-purpose therapy room was also designed to support sensory activities and family time, allowing therapy to be naturally integrated into daily life.
The result is a home designed for life, adaptable, supportive, and future-proofed, providing a nurturing environment that evolves with the client’s needs while maintaining warmth, dignity, and a true sense of home.
