Universally Sustainable

Letty Allen

Mature Transitions by Design

Designer Letty Allen faced a considerable task when tackling this project. The client wanted to remodel the outdated, inefficient kitchen while including a functional office space, all of which needed to be fully accessible for an individual with mobility issues due to Parkinson’s. All of this needed to be done within a limited budget and pinched square footage. 

Drawing on the principles of Universal Design, Allen worked with the client to create a lifestyle plan that focused on safety, ergonomic comfort, ease of use and ease of maintenance to allow the client to maintain their independence, as well as their physical and emotional health. 

A single-door closet pantry was removed and replaced with a double-door cabinet with pull-out full extension shelving, offering much-needed storage plus a hide-away work surface. A wall oven at counter height allows for the easy and safe removal of heavy pans that can be placed directly on the heat-resistant and low-maintenance quartz counter. An elevated dishwasher, full-extension shelving in the base cabinetry and cabinet doors with fingertip access provide additional convenience and safety. 

To keep costs down, the locations of existing plumbing and appliances remained unchanged, while environmental impact was minimized through the repurposing of old cabinetry, counters, appliances and fixtures by Habitat for Humanity. Ambient lighting provided by dimmable LED lighting, as well as task lighting from LED tapes running continuously behind a heat sink, requires less energy and therefore cuts usage costs.