About Cowan Architects Expert Witness Team

The client’s son has asymmetrical quadriplegic cerebral palsy. We proposed a scheme of internal alteration and adaptation in a new house to meet their son’s requirements, both now and in the future.

Two garages were converted into the boy’s Therapy Room, Toilet/Changing area (both with specifically controlled underfloor heating) and Carer’s accommodation. The ground floor space was created to be more open-plan and easily accessible.

A lift was installed in the Therapy Room directly into his bedroom above. Hoist and tracking facilities were installed in areas the boy would regularly use. CCTV was incorporated throughout for total 24 hour care and a porch extension provided sheltered transfers from the car.

Our client was diagnosed with steroid induced glaucoma which resulted in loss of sight in the right eye and limited vision in the left. Our intentions were to make subtle changes to the property that would enhance her day to day living but also not impede from her coping in an un-adapted environment.

All good principles of visually impaired design were employed throughout the project. These included the redesign of the kitchen to meet her needs, altering the lighting throughout to avoid glare, providing appropriate flooring to avoid slipping, handrails to both sides of stairs, low level access shower and colour contrasting D-shaped door handles.

The family of a severely disabled child wanted their chalet extended to provide easily accessible ground floor accommodation and facilities.

A three-bay garage, with rooms in the roof was the ideal conversion space with a large roof light, windows and bi-folding/sliding doors for accessibility. We also proposed building an extension to house a 6 x 3m indoor hydrotherapy pool with a wet room with specialist bath and shower facilities off the pool room along with a separate carer’s suite. Another interesting feature was the provision of a 3-step, internal staircase that mechanically converted to a ramp to ease access for everyone over two levels.

A family bought a large bungalow in North London for their severely disabled son but the change in layout that was not conducive to wheelchair access and the child’s care needs.

We planned an extra floor for the family sleeping and bathroom facilities to leave leaving space on the ground floor for the son’s accommodation needs. The house was updated and modernised throughout working with the client’s Occupational Therapist and Court Deputy to provide care facilities, a therapy room, refurbished swimming pool and a dry transfer facility from the car to the house.