Design Talk: Behind-the-Scenes at Project Chicopee, an Accessible Design

Welcome to our latest project reveal! We are thrilled to present Project Chicopee, an accessible condo renovation completed in Kitchener during the winter of 2022. This project involved a complete overhaul of the space, including removing walls, replacing the flooring, fixtures, and painting throughout, creating a new kitchen layout and design, renovating the primary bathroom to be barrier-free, updating the main bathroom, and making accessibility updates to the primary bedroom. Our CEO and design lead, Shauna Lynn Simon, sat down with me to share insights into this transformative project. Join us as we explore the creative process, the unique challenges of accessible design, and the standout features that make Project Chicopee truly special.

Alex (A): Can you walk us through the initial steps of your design process for this accessible design project? What were the key considerations at the start?

Shauna Lynn (SL): At the start, we focus on understanding the daily needs for function, comfort, and living. This project required special considerations not only for the residents but also for their support workers. We wanted to store medical supplies discreetly to avoid an institutional feel, while ensuring that they were still easily accessible. Space planning was crucial, ensuring that the motorized wheelchair could navigate seamlessly through the condo. This meant removing some walls, widening doorways, and making other adjustments to achieve the necessary clearances.

The planning stage was critical, and we drew up CAD plans (floor plans) of the space and plugged in the wheelchair with its specific measurements to test the navigation. Utilizing CAD drawings allowed us to visualize and adjust the layout precisely, ensuring that every movement within the condo would be smooth and unobstructed. Space planning and technical drawings are probably the most important things we do as designers, and I feel like clients often underestimate the immense value they bring to the project. These tools not only help us foresee potential issues but also ensure that our designs meet both functional and aesthetic requirements perfectly.

A: How did you balance aesthetic appeal with functionality in accessible design? Were there any specific elements that were particularly challenging to integrate?

SL: Accessibility often means that items need to be easily reachable, posing a challenge to keep spaces uncluttered. Determining solutions that would allow access to supplies and care products while keeping them out of sight was probably one of the biggest challenges to avoid that cluttered look while accommodating the accessibility needs.

We tackled this by adding decorative shelves and medicine cabinets. While these features served the support workers, they were also designed to blend into the home's overall aesthetic. It was important to us to incorporate aesthetic appeal with functionality. In the primary bedroom and living room, personal touches and accessories created a cozy atmosphere without compromising functionality.

A: What were the primary challenges you faced during the project, and how did you overcome them? Were there any unexpected obstacles? 

SL: Oh yeah, I think with every renovation there's always going to be something that's going to cause some challenges, and in our case so it was sort of multifaceted, but a lot of it stemmed from the fact that it was a condo building. Renovating a condo presents unique challenges compared to a detached house, especially with structural limitations as well as impact on the other residents in the building. For this project, the need for a mechanical ceiling lift (Hoyer lift) was a major hurdle. We had to ensure the building could support it, involving a structural engineer to design a reinforcement plan. The installation required significant planning and coordination with the condo board, which extended the timeline but was essential for safety and compliance.

Now a mechanical lift can be a portable lift or installed into the floor, but for the needs of this client, a ceiling lift made the most sense. The standard installation for these ceiling lifts requires a 4” concrete slab, however we were unable to confirm that we had this during the planning process and therefore the structural engineer created a comprehensive reinforcement plan that involved installing a significant number of struts to ensure that we weren't compromising the structure.

Safety is a number one priority in any renovation, especially when it comes to accessibility and we wanted to ensure that we could confidently perform the updates and renovations that we needed to without compromising the integrity of the building or the safety for the clients.

A. How did you ensure that the design would be accessible to people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities? What specific features were included to accommodate this?

SL: We designed with both current and future needs in mind. For instance, while grab bars weren't necessary for the current residents, we installed wall supports for future installation if needed. The accessible bathroom was also equipped for wheelchair use, even though the current occupant doesn't require it. This forward-thinking approach ensures the condo remains adaptable to various needs over time.

A: Were there any particular materials or products that you found especially useful or effective for accessible design? Can you give examples?

SL: Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) were a standout choice for this project, I can’t say enough good things about this product. They're durable, provide a smooth surface for wheelchairs, and offer excellent sound absorption—critical in a condo setting. We also designed the bathroom as a full wet room, ensuring it was waterproofed to prevent leaks, which is important in both condos and detached homes.

A: How did you collaborate with other professionals (e.g., architects, contractors, occupational therapists) during this project? What insights did they bring to the table? 

SL: Oh, I mean they say it takes a village! And it really does for any type of project of this magnitude. Collaboration was key. We worked with a structural engineer, contractor (Eagleview Construction), ceiling lift company, occupational therapists, the condo board, and the clients. Effective communication ensured everyone was on the same page and comfortable with the designs and execution plan, contributing to a successful outcome.

A: Can you share a specific aspect or feature of the project that you are particularly proud of? What makes it stand out to you?

SL: The kitchen transformation stands out. We removed the restrictive peninsula, creating an open-concept space with enhanced flow and storage. This redesign not only improved accessibility but also provided a more functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen, which the clients now call their "dream kitchen."

In universal design, the idea is that we're creating these spaces that are accessible for everyone, and the original kitchen layout posed challenges for all people, not just those with disabilities and so our aim was to create a more open concept space with better flow. We evaluated the plumbing access and identified that we could create a more universal design by utilizing an open floor plan with a lot more versatility for table placement and table sizing and, as a result, we created a highly functional kitchen with an extensive amount of storage.

One of the things that we pride ourselves on at Beyond the Design Studio is designing custom millwork. Every single piece of that kitchen was built for that specific kitchen and client, so I think that makes a real difference because it allows so much more versatility to really plan out every inch of that space. Also, selecting premium, durable and timeless finishes were super important to us and yielded such a beautiful result.

A: What feedback have you received from the clients or end-users about the design? How has it impacted their daily lives?

SL: The clients and their support workers have given glowing feedback, highlighting the design's functionality and aesthetic appeal. The ease of navigation and the thoughtful integration of personal touches have significantly improved their daily lives, making the space feel like home rather than an institution. Of course, the “dream kitchen” is a standout attraction, but the support workers have been especially impressed with the setup of the primary bedroom and bathroom.

A: In your opinion, what are the most important principles to keep in mind when working on accessible/universal design projects?

SL: Future-proofing the design is crucial. It's about balancing current needs with potential future requirements. Minimum standards are a starting point, but truly successful accessible and universal design anticipates changes and evolves with the client's needs.

A: What advice would you give to other interior designers who are starting their first accessible/universal design project? What should they focus on to ensure success?

SL: Never underestimate the importance of asking questions and gaining a deep understanding of the client's needs. Asking questions is standard practice for any design project, but accessible design can be humbling, as it requires empathy and foresight and putting your ego aside to ensure that you are asking the right questions of both clients and trades. Continual learning and adapting are essential to providing the best solutions for clients. Experience knows no bounds.

Project Chicopee showcases how accessible design goes beyond meeting regulations—it enhances the quality of life for all residents. From innovative problem-solving to creating beautiful, functional spaces, Shauna Lynn's approach offers valuable insights for interior designers. We hope you enjoyed this look into Project Chicopee. To check out the complete project portfolio, click here.

For accessible design solutions, contact us at info@beyondthdesignstudio.com. We would love to hear from you!

Learn more about designing for accessibility in our blog, Designing for Accessibility: Universal Design in Canadian Residences.