Case Study: Introducing the Troke Family’s Accessible Kitchen, designed for the whole family
As one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Symphony knows what makes a successful kitchen design. Key components of safety, style and flexibility are at the core of the Freedom brand and its accessible design can be used by all ages and abilities, including those with mobility requirements. The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert and through 40 years of personal experience and research, his kitchen designs have helped to transform homes throughout the UK
The Troke family’s new kitchen was designed by Adam Thomas to be easy to use and long-lasting, with the aim of providing an accessible, streamlined and beautiful kitchen for all members of the family to enjoy. Lucille Troke, aged 12, a wheelchair user since an accident in 2015, lives with her family in a bungalow in Aylesbury. Over the last few years, the property has been extended and renovated to enable Lucille, her younger sister Josephine and their parents, Leonie and Jon to use and enjoy the new kitchen. The Freedom kitchen was installed in October 2021, and the family were able to move in and enjoy their newly refurbished home in November 2021.
Lucille’s parents Leonie and Jon explained the four-year process that started in 2017 with their purchase of the bungalow. The planning application for the transformation of the bungalow to suit Lucille’s needs started in 2018, and the practical planning, designing and budgeting soon followed. Despite pandemic interruptions, building work was able to proceed in March 2021. The Trokes worked with designers Adam Thomas and Pat at Tara Neil Kitchens, the retailer they chose to provide their new family kitchen. The Tara Neil Kitchen team recommended using the Freedom Kitchen from Symphony, and the family’s Occupational Therapist, Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare not only oversaw the whole design process but suggested expert designer Adam Thomas, of the Adam Thomas Consultancy, should be involved too.
The Challenges
The family’s previous kitchen did have a custom-made fixed lowered worktop, which was helpful to Lucille, but it was back-ache inducing for the rest of the family. The old kitchen was too small, with outward opening oven doors which were impractical for Lucille to approach, with the consequence that although Lucille was very enthusiastic about baking and cooking, it was simply impractical, if not dangerous, for her to use the oven. Her parents, Leonie and Jon, didn’t want her interest in cooking, baking and food technology, which she enjoys at school, to be affected by the limitations of the old kitchen. The couple realised that they would need to bring an entirely different approach to the design of the new kitchen.
The Design Solutions
The design of the new kitchen was radically different, with meticulous attention to the detail and practicalities of Lucille’s abilities. The new oven was positioned perpendicular to the work surface. The 90-degree angle to the lowered height work surface makes it easier, and safer, for Lucille to reach into the oven whilst seated in her wheelchair. There are I-Move pull-down units and internal pull-out drawers to make it easier for Lucille to reach into cupboards. When she pulls out a drawer, she can allow it to extend fully and then reach in easily for whatever she needs. The same applies to the crockery and pan drawers – the contents are visible at a glance and Lucille is able to reach things from her chair, as there is plenty of manoeuvring space incorporated into the layout. There are also Le Mans pull-outs in the corner base cabinets, allowing everyone to easily search for anything tucked away at the back!
The work surface arrangements play a huge part in the accessibility of this kitchen – not just for Lucille, but for her parents and younger sister, Josephine, aged 9. There is a standard full-height work surface, a lower height fixed work surface and an electric rise-and-fall work surface that includes the sleek induction hob and a sink. The rise-and-fall work surface has a grooved edge which is an important safety feature – it means that any accidently spilled liquids will pool into the groove, rather than spilling onto Lucille. Naturally, the waterfall-edge styling of the work surface also adds to the sleek and super-stylish look.
The Colours
Leonie oversaw the colour choices, initially drawn towards grey cabinet doors, but quickly changing her mind when she discovered Symphony had introduced the new Urban Indigo colourway to the range. ‘I had always wanted a dark blue kitchen’ she says, ‘so Urban Indigo was the obvious choice’. She had also originally been tempted by all-white for the work surfaces but with the help of the Tara Neil Kitchens team, got a bit more adventurous and decided upon a mix of materials and colours to add contrast to the scheme. The low-level work surface is pale grey, the higher level surfaces a pale quartz mix which is a striking and impactful contrast to the Indigo cabinetry and white walls.
Design Details
- The fixed low-level work surface near the ovens is a great setting down area for hot pans, as well as a baking area for Lucille
- Flip sockets in the rise-and-fall work surface are positioned to be within easy reach for Lucille
- Two sinks – one at a standard height near the dishwasher and the other, a prep sink in the rise-and-fall work surface are convenient for all members of the family
- Recycling and waste bins are integrated into cabinetry and accessible to everyone
- The hot tap is convenient for Lucille to use and keeps the work surface clear
In Lucille’s own words
‘I look forward to using this amazing kitchen every day! My mum has always been really good at baking pastries and cakes and now I can also enjoy cooking at home too – and maybe catch up with her skills! I’m able to use the kitchen and access the ovens without fuss; everything is at the right height and I’m able to put things into the oven and take things out easily. With the help of my OT team, brilliant advice from Adam Thomas, and the technical planning from Adam and Pat at Tara Neil Kitchens, we all now have a fantastic kitchen to enjoy and cook in for many years to come’.
For further information about Symphony, please visit www.symphony-group.co.uk/brands/freedom