ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
We Design to Enable
We understand the power of design; how specialist knowledge and creativity can empower individuals with catastrophic injuries by creating bespoke, relevant, creative, inspiring and sustainable places to live.
We’re Designed to Enable by making home a better place for individuals and their families by advising on, designing and building the most important space for us all.
Our Architectural Services team have unrivalled, specialist experience in working with individuals, their families and wider support and care networks to design homes for life that meet their individual needs and wishes.
We design adaptation schemes to modify and often extend existing properties, and we provide new purpose designed dwellings. Combined with our Property Finding team, we are able to offer a bespoke, complete service, delivered by accredited experts who understand the benefits that an inspiring, welcoming and enabling home environment can bring to the individual and their loved ones.
Creating homes without barriers
We’re passionate about enabling our clients through careful, sensitive and relevant architectural design. We listen carefully, apply creative thinking and our passion for finding innovative solutions, use our award-winning experience and roll our sleeves up to make things happen.
Our designs are the foundation to helping our clients regain and retain as much independence as possible following a catastrophic injury and we go above and beyond to make our vision a reality, every time.
We manage our projects from inception to completion and our greatest inspiration comes from seeing how our clients and those around them embrace and thrive in their new home.
Designed to enable
Our approach is designed to enable our people to do more, to go the extra mile to support our clients and the professionals they work with.
Our dedicated Project Managers lead our design and delivery team, working hand-in-hand with our clients throughout the entire process. We are known for our enviable relationships with relevant associated experts, such as Occupational Therapists, Nursing/Care Consultants, Physiotherapists, Assistive Technology Experts, Deputies, Litigators and others - we understand the power of team work.
The majority of our project instructions originate from solicitors and professional deputies, enabling us to assist with all parts of the accommodation claim. However, in recent years we have become increasingly involved with privately funded clients and now regularly receive instructions from members of the public, Case Managers, Occupation Therapists, Care Consultants and Lay Trustees in post-settlement projects. We work across the whole of the UK.
Architectual Service Process
An example of how our architectural service work on behalf of clients:
Designing an appropriate adaptation/extension scheme or new build project
Production of detailed drawings
Preparation of a Specification and Schedule of Works
Obtaining Tenders and producing Tender Evaluations
Sourcing and appointing a Building Contractor
Contractual documentation and administration
Inspection of building works and monitoring of projects
Preparation of interim Valuation Certificates and payments to the Contractor
VAT assessment to calculate zero-rated disability related items
We advise on the selection of a suitable building contractor (where appropriate) and supervise the works throughout as a prerequisite to checking that all aspects of the building contractor’s Final Account are correct and the maximum VAT exemption is secured from HM Revenue & Customs.
Finally, to ensure peace of mind for our clients we organise the handing over of the keys to their new home after it has been thoroughly cleaned.
Eco Homes
We always have an eye on the future and we’re passionate about creating sustainable, comfortable and responsive homes to help our clients’ physical and mental wellbeing, and to ensure projects are as environmentally friendly as possible and support our clients financial sustainability.
As a consequence of a disability, our clients often find they become more susceptible to the cold or controlling body temperature. We ensure each property is well insulated and as energy efficient as possible. By integrating sustainable design and renewable technology within your home, our designs ensure this while contributing to a greener environment and reducing energy bills.
We are highly experienced in not only basic sustainable design, such as increasing the insulation values within your property, but installing photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels, ground/air source heat pumps and heat recovery/ventilation systems.
Assistive Technology
Technology that helps our clients and their families live and communicate in and around their new home is no longer a luxury but a basic principle in our projects.
We have integrated the latest assistive technologies into our projects for many years and have seen the cost and implementation of assistive equipment and technology become increasingly simpler, more creative and more cost effective. These systems can also provide much needed security and independence.
From very basic ‘off the shelf’ items to full home automation, which is run through a central hub, the following is a brief overview of the equipment that can be automated:
- Monitor CCTV
- Controlling heating systems
- Operation of TV and audio systems
- Turning on/off lights
- Operation of a through floor lift
- Opening and closing a garage door
- Opening and closing internal and external doors
- Opening and closing windows/skylights
- Raise and lower a powered bed
- Operation of intercom (to answer the front door or call carers)
- Operation of security gates
- More or less anything with an electrical or mechanical part can be automated.
All these systems can be operated via an iPad, phone, voice control or eye gaze. They allow our clients to regain their independence, which means they have less reliance on others to carry out everyday tasks, which may become problematic as a result of a disability – for example, turning on the TV, opening doors or controlling lights and music.