"basins for accessibility"

The £27 million Art and Design Academy is the first phase of John Moores University campus masterplan. Rick Mather Architects specified 32 Stainless Steel Howe Green access covers, ranging from the 7500 Series to the 1050 Series, to enable easy and safe access to underfloor services in a number of locations. The panels were individually manufactured to match the size of the Charcon Appalachian stone floor slabs and to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Featuring double seals, the access covers meet the highest standards of hygiene and security as well as being corrosion and maintenance-free.

A Grade II listed Royal George building in Knutsford was sympathetically restored to create a stunning dining venue for the Loch Fyne brand. During the restoration project, contractor A&J Interiors specified 4 of Howe Green’s 5000 Series floor access covers. The covers were required to provide an unobtrusive access solution to cover the kitchen’s essential mains services whilst maintaining fast and easy access for maintenance or emergency repairs. Blending seamlessly with the flooring the covers avoid distortion and prevent the risk of slips and trips – essential within a busy kitchen environment.

Howe Green Ltd supplied a number of HSE75 Series Hinged Aluminium Floor Access Covers for a new £1.5 billion hospital facility in Stockholm. The requirement was for a solution that would enable regular access to the underground power stations and escape routes located underneath the hospital. The gas assisted hinged HSE75 floor hatches provide easy and safe access ensuring that maintenance can be carried out with the minimum of disruption. The floor hatches have been installed in various areas of the hospital and infilled with both concrete and tiled flooring to provide a seamless, flush floor finish.

Award winning developer Hill required a seamless solution to accessing concealed bathroom services at The Scene, Walthamstow and their Park View development in Sidcup. Howe Green supplied the Tile-a-Door+ Wall Access Panels manufactured in a bespoke size to fit Hill’s specific tile grids. The panels can be custom made to the millimetre and are supplied ready to tile with up to a 10mm thick finish, making the installation process quick and straightforward Howe Green’s Tile-a-Door+ panels ensure that access for any future repairs or maintenance will be faster, easier and cost-efficient.

Built-In Flexibility26,000 sq. m. of Kingspan RMG600 Simploc raised access flooring.The key to creating a successful co-working environment is to build-in flexibility. To help futureproof Two Southbank Place, 26,000 sq. m. of Kingspan RMG600 Simploc raised access flooring was installed.

New Purpose Built Premises For Acticare. This new build site offers Acticare facilities three times larger than they enjoyed before. 2596m2 of offices, workshops, product display and ancillary areas in the Hereford Enterprise Zone. Bathgate Flooring were pleased to be a part of this project. The Project – Raised Access Hereford Raised Access Flooring for this Hereford project included supply and install of 687m² of Flooring. This building features Raised Access Flooring Panels supplied and installed by Bathgate Flooring Ltd Contracts Division. These panels are manufactured in our own facility in Hereford under the brand of Permaflor.

The Custard Factory, built around a century ago to manufacture Sir Alfred Bird’s famous dessert, has recently been revamped into an arts and media quarter for Birmingham. Specialist subcontractors DSM Flooring were looking for a quality floor access solution to install in the highly trafficked entrance atrium in the development. Howe Green supplied the 5000 Series Light Duty Floor Access Cover to provide easy and safe access to the essential building services concealed under the flooring within the atrium. The 5000 Series cover lay flush with the flooring to prevent any slips or trips.

To operate at optimum capacity, the Ricoh Arena required a floor access solution to reach under floor services carrying water, drainage, electricity and data to internal and external leisure amenities. Staff at the arena also needed to carry out regular checks on under soil heating, sprinkler systems and floodlighting. Howe Green’s 7500 Series floor access covers were selected to provide safe and easy access to the concealed services. Fitted quickly and unobtrusively with the Terrazzo flooring used throughout the stadium complex, the covers are double-sealed to meet the highest standards of hygiene and security.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series Medium Duty Access Covers have been installed in Manchester Cathedral as part of extensive reordering works. The 7500 Series Access Covers were chosen to provide reliable yet virtually invisible access to new mechanical and electrical chambers across the entire body of the building. Over 70 covers were made, each to a bespoke size to fit precisely with the new Burlington Stone slabs being installed. Howe Green also designed a special cover grating to allow air supply to the blower working the bellows of the Cathedral’s remarkable organ.

Howe Green’s 5000 Series and 7500 Series access covers were specified for the Emirates Air Line, the first urban cable car in the UK. The cable car crosses the Thames from Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks and links two former Olympic sites. The access covers were required to provide easy and reliable access to essential services within the North and South Terminal buildings. A bespoke aluminium bar was also designed and made for the project. The bar comprises a decorative trim featuring a semi-circular section with a 10-metre radius and a 6mm visible edge.

AEM Demolition undertook the heavy side building works of the 35,000 square feet M&M World in London. AEM required an access solution to provide reliable, durable and easy access to the building’s underfloor services. Howe Green’s 5000 Series Stainless Steel access covers were selected. The covers were installed in a range of different internal areas as well as with a wide variety of different types of flooring, including bright red resin, painted concrete and carpet. Designed and built to withstand the pressures of high volume pedestrian traffic, the covers have a 1 hour fire rating.

Howe Green’s 5000 Series access covers were chosen by interior specialists, Tekne Shopfitting Limited to provide access in The Tramshed, a Grade II listed building in London. The aluminium access covers were selected to provide a reliable route to essential underfloor building services in the Tramshed’s public washrooms and busy kitchens. Ensuring an excellent aesthetic finish, Tekne fitted four covers and inlaid each frame with resin flooring to match the surrounding area. The covers were double-sealed for use over foul drainage, with a third seal fitted to help prevent the ingress of dirt.

79 of Howe Green’s 7500 Series aluminium access covers were specified for Eco-Friendly primary school, St Bernadette’s in Antonshill. Council architects required a solution to access essential services housed in raised flooring including the school’s sprinkler network, hot and cold water supplies and electric and data cabling. The covers were installed by A. Andrews and Sons to cover a continuous run of 75 metres of floor space with additional multipart units also fitted onto adjoining legs. The access covers were designed to be in-filled with industrial grade carpet to match the surrounding area.

Specification / scenario -Traditional Church building requiring discrete but effective access control and partition without spoiling the ambiance of the Church interior. A glass partition was needed to limit access at certain times of the day whilst not blocking out light. Maintaining the light intensity was a key factor in design brief.

The hospital needed to ensure good accessibility and create demarcation areas for staff and visitors. We provided various systems including automatic revolving doors and sliding doors, an automatic revolving door with a diameter of 5.4 meters, and various swing door operators for the automation of both wooden single-action doors and fire-resistant doors. We installed swing door operators and sliding door operators which ensure convenient, comfortable and safe access between the departments. In addition to the benefits of comfort and energy-savings, the solution provides safe escape routes and easy access for both able-bodied and disabled people.

Ceramic tiling contractors P.Plunkett recommended Howe Green Medium Duty 7500 Series 316 Grade Stainless Steel Floor Access Covers as a reliable and safe solution for accessing the pool sumps and pool balance tanks located beneath the tiling in the pool areas at East Riding Leisure Centre. Nine 7500 Series access covers were fitted into the ceramic tiled floor around the pool surround and infilled with antislip porcelain floor tiles to provide a flush finish, that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. The 316 grade stainless steel cover is non-corrosive and will not rust, even in a swimming pool environment.

After 20 years in its Judd Street office in London’s Kings Cross, the Royal National Institute of Blind People recently moved to a new head office that better suited the charity’s evolving needs. The Grimaldi Building, a characterful self-contained office, serves as the charity's new London hub. Months of detailed planning and a thoughtful fit-out was required to ensure the new office facilities met the needs of all the RNIB employees and visitors. Understandably, accessible drinking water was a top priority."Zip HydroTaps have been used on a number of our projects and I have always found the team at Zip very willing to engage and explore a variety of user needs, which is really helpful – accessibility, clarity and ease of use is always a primary consideration for all our projects" Jean Hewitt, Inclusive Designer | Buro HappoldThe briefAn essential amenity in the workplace, the RNIB needed to provide staff, visitors and volunteers with easy access to both boiling and chilled drinking water, for hot and cold beverages. Integrated consulting engineers and advisers Buro Happold had their inclusive design expert Jean Hewitt on hand to support the RNIB with the Grimaldi building refurbishment, advising on accessibility. Her primary focus was ensuring that the building design considered those with sight loss and with this in mind, began her search for a drinking water system that was as inclusive as possible.The solutionOur HydroTap Accessibility range is designed specifically to support visually impaired, wheelchair and limited dexterity users. Jean chose to specify two HydroTap Accessibility models that provide instant filtered boiling and chilled drinking water. “I was attracted by the accessibility features, such as very clear colour coding and easy grip extended ‘ears’ for people who may have reduced dexterity and grip. The inclusion of tactile and Braille markings makes the use of the tap more intuitive for everyone,” explains Jean.The results"Zip HydroTaps have been used on a number of our projects and I have always found the team at Zip very willing to engage and explore a variety of user needs, which is really helpful – accessibility, clarity and ease of use is always a primary consideration for all our projects"Jean Hewitt , Inclusive DesignerBuro Happold

"Reducing the risk of working at height is a key focus for Kautex. Providing safe access and fall protection to maintain our machinery is critical."Eurosafe Solutions provided the client with a safe method of accessing these areas, utilising both structural steelwork on the machine itself and the steel frame of the building to provide overhead Latchways ManSafe Systems and PPE Anchor Points.

Chelsea Waterfront is a high-specification new development centred around the iconic Lots Road Power Station where car parking is facilitated by a basement accessed by automatic bi-fold gates. Having been specified by Terry Farrell, Bolton Gate Company were chosen to design, manufacture and install a set of gates which included two automatic bi-fold gates with an adjacent personnel gate. The main gates provided secure vehicular access being activated by card reader and the adjacent hinged gate allowed selective personnel access by key fob. A polyester powder coated finish in Basalt Grey was applied to blend in with the surrounding structure.

Products: Flexi access. Services: Bespoke access ramp solution. Roof build-up: Warm roof design / TPO/PVC membrane. Pump House recently supplied an external rooftop access ramp solution for a proposed route out of a building down onto the flat roof. The solution was fully adjustable against typical flat roof falls, and did not penetrate the waterproofing below. Steelwork was hot dip galvanised whilst landings were a non-slip 8mm thick GRP sheet to provide great slip resistance. Supplied with full handrail and kick plates to all exposed sides, to ensure safe passage of pedestrians and cargo.

Premier Loft Ladders has released technical data and a BIM object on NBS Source for the Supreme Vertical loft ladder. This heavy-duty retractable ladder offers safe and easy access to loft spaces and plant rooms that can only be accessed via an elevated wall hatch. As such, it is easier for architects and designers to find and specify a solution for this otherwise challenging access requirement.The heavy-duty concertina ladder offers a load rating of 200 kg per tread, making it suitable for both residential and commercial projects. It also benefits from being very easy to operate.The product data can be found within section L30 (clause 41 and clause 421).

Non-Conductive Fencing, Trench Covers and Access Structures | Case StudyPower and Energy Infrastructure Contractor Morgan Sindall was appointed to design, build and commission the new converter station and chose to work with Dura Composites to provide safe, non- metallic Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) utility fencing for the AC/DC Halls, as well as a range of non-conductive access structures, utility trench covers & handrailing across the site.The IFA2 project aims to connect the electricity systems of Great Britain and France using high voltage subsea cables and will be capable of exporting or importing 1000MW of power between the UK and France, enough to power up to 1 million homes. In this project, the client specification mandated the use of non-conductive and non-metallic materials which could be used to construct removable fencing, permanent fencing and sliding gates to enable access to specific authorised personnel, whilst preventing others from accessing high-risk areas.

IntroductionAshcombe School was in desperate need of a washroom refurbishment as it was falling into disrepair and was fuelling student behaviour issues. They also required more cubicles, and there was often an unbalanced demand between the boys and the girls.Our SolutionFirstly, Brookhouse needed to understand Ashcombe's pains and create a design to eliminate these as best as possible. It quickly became apparent that they needed a unisex school washroom open to the corridor to create extra space and to mitigate behaviour issues. Many existing toilets were not working, so they needed this completed as soon as possible. The half-term break was identified as a week to carry out the demolition works. The location of the school washroom refurbishment was on the primary school corridor. With the project being carried out during term time, it was essential to ensure this was carefully managed to ensure safeguarding and to cause as little disturbance as possible.We created a design concept with full height cubicles to reduce the issues they were having and specified a trough and automatic infrared taps and soap dispensers to stop the students from filling up the basins and making them overflow. The solid grade laminate school washroom system has a floor & ceiling track to achieve privacy and create an extremely robust washroom that will last for years to come. All fittings are also bolted through to ensure no damage to the laminate.We ProvidedWashroom Design & ConsultancySpace Planning/3D VisualsProject ManagementFull height Solid Grade Laminate School Washroom CubiclesFull Height Solid Grade Laminate IPSButton Flush CisternsDecoration & Hygiene Wall CladdingSolid Surface TroughVinyl FlooringAutomatic Taps and Soap DispensersFull replacement of plumbing worksElectrics and LightingVentilationDDA toilet

Boyco were commissioned to supply and install cloakroom fittings and Waterfall® anti-drip worktops for a two-classroom extension at Bro Alun primary school in North Wales. The results are impressive.“The architect had never used us before, but was keen to specify our products, which was very pleasing,” said Boyco Regional Manager Kevin Bond, explaining the background to our project to supply and fit coat hooks and bag trays, and anti-drip worktops for a two-classroom extension at Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt.The made-to-measure cloakroom fittings were fully assembled when delivered, meaning less time spent on site for installation. They were available in the school’s colours and came with a lifetime guarantee, as well as having an anti-microbial finish.The project took just four months from initial enquiry to handover. As well as the architect’s own research, our early collaboration with stakeholders (including the school headmaster) to discuss the project and review samples helped avoid potential issues.The initial site survey also identified opportunities for Boyco to add value, based on our considerable experience and deep understanding of the education sector. Initially tasked with supplying our Waterfall® laminate worktops, which have a ‘bull-nosed’ edge to prevent spills and drips, we proposed incorporating a handwash basin into the scope of works to avoid potentially expensive design changes and/or retrofittingSince the successful completion of the project, Boyco have been added to Read Construction’s approved supplier list.I was really impressed with the scheme and the furniture installed. Read Construction also said how positive it was working with Boyco.Lawray Architects

The Störmede Rittergut, a manorial estate in Geseke, North-Rhine-Westphalia, is a special location for conferences and private events. On its extensive grounds, alongside the listed buildings, a modern hotel has been erected. Behind a wood-clad façade, 55 highly modern and simultaneously very comfortable rooms can be found. Already in the foyer the guest is met by a warm atmosphere, something contributed to not least by the use of great expanses of wood, a friendly colour palette and stylish furniture. The style of the house has been logically extended: high quality and modern, but still inviting feelings of pleasure.A subtle and well-chosen selection of furnishings spreads the harmonious impression throughout the house. In every room, in the semi-public toilet facilities and in the spa area, KEUCO fittings and accessories can be found. They underline the fine, high-quality tone of the interior design. The slender EDITION 400 fittings match the single or double basins harmoniously. IXMO fittings by KEUCO were chosen for the showers because of their minimalist appearance. The special thing about IXMO: the fittings unite several functions in the smallest possible space with a minimalist design. In this way, the Hotel Rittergut Störmede maintains a clear and comprehensible appearance in its showers. IXMO SOLO, a clever combination of single-lever mixer and wall outlet for shower hose in a single unit, is particularly impressive for its ease of use. The consistently modern approach continues in the WC accessories in the bathrooms. Here, the well designed forms and high-quality surfaces of EDITION 400 accessories by KEUCO set a special tone.The Hotel Rittergut Störmede exudes a unique atmosphere with its historical roots and, thanks to its excellent furnishings, offers the guest an extra special stay.

Precautions required to prevent falls from height can be costly and disruptive to operations. Where a ladder is not appropriate, scaffold towers, scissor lifts, and warehouse cherry pickers, are commonly used to safely perform cleaning and maintenance at height. Lighting for instance, is essential to every business and is one of the most frequently accessed suspended assets, using powered access equipment.

Heavy duty surfacing was required for new access roads and car parking areas as part of a project to extend this business park located close to the A1 near Biggleswade. Using HGV resisting Ultiphalt HD asphalt on access roads combined with ULTIPOROUS free draining asphalt on parking areas provided both sustainable drainage and long term durability.

Located on the surviving remains of London’s first purpose-built theatre, New Inn Broadway is a new V&A museum exhibition and office building in Shoreditch. ‘The Theatre’ - which was the forerunner to ‘The Globe’- was originally built in 1576 and was home to some of William Shakespeare’s early plays. The five-storey building has been developed to celebrate the unique history of the site.New Inn Broadway is a location steeped in history.With its origins stretching back to Elizabethan times, and now playing host to the V&A and a commercial office space there was a lot to consider during the specification process.This dual purpose presented specific access concerns for the client, wanting to easily control who can move between the museum and office space, while also keeping everything secure. Allgood’s team of security and access control consultants worked with the client and electrical consultants to create a system design that met these requirements. This detailed technical planning was followed by careful execution and installation, using the latest in security and access control equipment.The final solution involved a state-of-the-art system that allows differing levels of access across the separate areas of the multi-use venue. This work was complemented with a coordinated ironmongery package including a complete Modric Doc M installation.Allgood Secure was specified by mechanical and electrical consultants Waterman Group to collaborate on system design, and supply and fit access control an audio visual intercom system, CCTV intruder detection, and an alarm system.As this was a multi-use development comprising the V&A museum as well as commercial office space, it was imperative that the building had a network access control system to manage access and maintain security as well as allow the end user to change access rights easily.Stainless steel entrance panels were specified at the main entrance doors and at the stairwells of each lettable office space floor, with a one-way video system that calls the internal handsfree monitors.A HD CCTV system was selected to allow remote monitoring from a different site, and a mixture of bullet and dome cameras were installed and finished in a bespoke RAL finish to complement the contemporary ceiling.Allgood Secure managed the installation of an intruder alarm system which features high-end technology offering peace of mind for staff.As well as a high-tech security system, Allgood’s Modric washroom package was specified by Gallus Studio architects, particularly its Doc M package.

Creating Safe Spaces with Hands-free Access

Sustainability was a key consideration when British Sugar decided to create a new headquarters to replace its old, tired office.Once the designs were finalised, our floor fitting teams installed RMG600 raised access flooring across the ground floor, first floor and top floor of the building, totalling an area of 4,800m2, utilising our PSA MOB PF2 PS/SPU Medium Grade RMG600 panels.Around the central atrium, we fitted our innovative Attiro architectural finish over the steel-encapsulated RMG600 access flooring system. Attiro is an innovative overlay engineered timber flooring solution that is designed to enable quick and easy access to a raised flooring void at any point in that floor.

The House of St Johns’ is a beautifully restored andrenovated Grade I listed building in the heart of Bath, UK.The building now houses a mix of flexible office spaces,dedicated desks, meeting rooms and modern eventsspaces – offering a fully flexible working environment formodern times.Working in close collaboration with architect FelidenClegg Bradley Studios and contractors Emery BrothersLtd, Allgood provided a complete ironmongeryspecification throughout, while Allgood Secure designedand installed a security and access control system thatmet with the client’s requirements.The Modric range in a Spectra bronze finish was chosenthroughout the building as its timeless aesthetic andelegant simplicity matched the architect’s vision for thespace. Our Holt range was also fitted onto the lowerground floor communal doors and shower rooms from European oak, Holt’s super circular design providesa welcoming, warm to the touch feel that suited thedesign intent to provide welcoming spaces.Allgood Secure designed a comprehensive securityspecification for this project, including an access controlsystem, CCTV, and a video intercom system. All of thiswas backed up with powerful cloud-based software,Brivo Access, giving the staff full visibility across the siteand allowing them to lock and unlock doors remotely.The system was also integrated with House of StJohns’ room booking system, meaning members canunlock meeting rooms themselves using their accesscredentials.A key part of the security system was the installationof Eagle Eye cloud-hosted CCTV cameras. Thesecameras are fully integrated with the Brivo Accessplatform, allowing the team to view the live video feedsfrom anywhere and with ease. All of this is backed upwith expertly selected and fitted electronic locks andironmongery from the wider Allgood team, ensuring alldoors are compliant with the relevant fire, escape andaccessibility criteria.

Kingspan RMG600 Raised Access Floor panels are being utilised across multiple state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities including specialist laboratory spaces.The flooring solution provides the facility management team with a great deal of flexibility – rapid access to the void, enabling reconfiguration, fault-finding or simply maintaining the many metres of cables and pipework that are required to service such a leading-edge education building.

A ‘whole door system’ which combines secure locking with failsafe emergency evacuation features has been introduced by GEZE UK to meet the rigorous PAS 24 standard.The Slimdrive SL NT PAS 24 System achieves outstanding security – one of the best on the market, whilst still meeting ever-greater demands of building requirements.The system enables 24-hour access control and has been designed and tested for continuous use. With GEZE’s unique, robust locking system that is hidden from view – the Slimdrive SL NT PAS 24 System makes it even harder for opportunist burglars to identify points of access.GEZE’s proven Slimdrive SL NT technology, together with the enhanced security testing required to achieve PAS 24 accreditation, adds up to the perfect entrance system with no compromises - security, accessibility, access control and great aesthetics.The system enables 24-hour access control and has been designed and tested for continuous use. With GEZE’s unique, robust locking system that is hidden from view – the Slimdrive SL NT PAS 24 System makes it even harder for opportunist burglars to identify points of access.GEZE’s proven Slimdrive SL NT technology, together with the enhanced security testing required to achieve PAS 24 accreditation, adds up to the perfect entrance system with no compromises - security, accessibility, access control and great aesthetics.Under PAS 24 a series of tests are performed including manual attack, in which the test engineer uses a range of tools anywhere on the door over a 15-minute period, impact testing of both ‘soft body’ and ‘hard body’ objects, and force testing in which loads are applied for up to 5 minutes. The door must withstand all of the tests to pass and achieve PAS 24 certification.These security enhancements are fast becoming key features for buildings where security with escape routes are a high priority: such as hospitals, airports, train stations and banks.The system uses GEZE’s proven Slimdrive SL NT automatic sliding operator. At just seven centimetres it is the slimmest on the market enabling it to be almost invisibly integrated into the façade. It can move leaf weights up to 125kg and is virtually silent in operation. GEZE UK worked with Jack Aluminium Systems, one of the UK’s leading aluminium glazing systems companies, to develop the new system for automatic sliding doors.The PAS (Product Assessment Specification) 24 test standard was introduced by the British Standard Institute (BSI) in collaboration with industry stakeholders and Secured By Design (SBD). A 2016 revision incorporated additional doorset and window types including non-domestic ranges and changes to some test methods and criteria.

The London Borough of Southwark is the latest local authority to receive a network of the UK’s most user-friendly bike hangar design - the FalcoPod. Falco manufactured, supplied and installed a total of 72 units with manual key access, four units with smart mobile app access and three cycle hubs with smart mobile app access across the borough.Falco is delighted to be working with the Greater London Council to roll-out their next phase of residential bike hangars. The FalcoPods were installed this Autumn and residents from the borough are now enjoying access to the latest on-street bike hangars.The images attached show the manual and smart bike hangar installations, supplied in a vibrant leaf green RAL colour, installed across Southwark at locations including Reynolds Road, Scylla Road, Shawbury Road, Fenham Road and Grove Hill Road.In addition to the bike hangars, three hardwood clad cycle hubs complete with FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks and smart mobile access were installed to accommodate a total of 60 bikes, located at Bridges House, Hood House and Elmington Road.Each mobile app bike hangar and mobile app cycle hub provides Southwark residents with quick and easy accessibility via the users smartphone. The user registers for a place through the Falco Rentals website, downloads the app, is granted accessibility via the back office and then can access their chosen hangar within minutes. For users without a smartphone, a physical key can be supplied instead.As well as manufacture and installation, Falco is also providing a fully managed service with both app and key rental management for the residents and bike hangar maintenance on behalf of the London Borough of Southwark Council Highways and Infrastructure team.The Falco Rentals website enables Brighton residents to look for free spaces in the bike hangar network, book an available space and pay online, all in one place. The Falco Rentals website also provides a useful video along with other ideas and tips on safely looking after a bike.In addition to the Bike Hangars for the London Borough of Southwark shown here, Falco also provides a fully managed service of Bike Hangars for a number of other Council’s including the London Borough Westminster, London Borough of Brent, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Merton and Brighton & Hove City Council.For more information about the FalcoPod Bike Hangar, the FalcoPod Bike Hangar service or your cycle parking scheme, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080. 

For Sheila Dearns, a former language teacher for 32 years, living with MS meant that as her condition progressed, she found her kitchen ill-equipped to cope with her changing needs.Sheila’s home is a bungalow in the centre of Chelmsford, where she has lived since 1996. It was when her MS began to leave her with little energy that Sheila decided to retire in 2010 and since then, she is finding it harder to ‘load bear’ and now classes herself as a full-time wheelchair user.It was when Sheila was left an inheritance from a relative that she began to consider making some practical changes to her home. The former kitchen was narrow with no accessible workspace to prepare meals. In fact, Sheila had to chop vegetables on the dining room table instead. With little energy and as a full-time wheelchair user, Sheila needed something to change in order for her to continue living independently at home.Her friend’s sister, Teresa Shaw; who owns the company Onyx Rehabilitation Ltd  that helps people with life-changing injuries, put Sheila in touch with leading designer of accessible kitchens Adam Thomas of the Adam Thomas Consultancy. It’s thanks to Adam’s input and collaboration that Freedom by Symphony have transformed the lives of so many people by empowering them with a sense of independence, enjoying accessible kitchens that are both practical to use and stylish to look at.Adam worked with kitchen retailer Blaines Interiors to create an accessible kitchen for Sheila that now works as the hub of her home. The project began by knocking down the wall between the former kitchen and living room to create one larger, open-plan space. Sheila moved out while the work was being done and the result is a fully wheelchair-friendly area with widened access to the garden, too.“Working with Blaines, we designed a fully functional and accessible kitchen,” says Adam, “which now includes I-move pull down baskets, allowing Sheila to access top shelves in wall cabinets without standing up from a seated position along with a 2.4m Rise & Fall worktop, a lovely feature that Sheila can adjust to suit her height so that she can use the worktop, sink with front access tap and hob when seated in her wheelchair. It’s a really flexible solution, as it can also be used by family and friends in the rise position. We also included a lowered dining table on hairpin legs for wheelchair access underneath, a pull and twist larder for easy access to dried ingredients, corner Le Mans storage and a combination oven, which suits Sheila’s style of cooking.”Sheila and Adam worked closely with Anthony Elsey from Blaines Interiors, who was a wonderful source of inspiration and ideas. Sheila wanted her kitchen to be calm and soothing with a brightly tiled splashback to add a statement look. “As a one-stop shop, Blaines takes clients on a seamless journey from conception to completion,” says Anthony. “This includes personalised consultation, expert advice, meticulous planning, flawless installation and the final finishing touches. Our team of designers are not only creative but also empathetic and supportive, ensuring that every client’s needs are met. They take pride in designing kitchens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also affordable and accessible to all.”Design manager Anthony has experience in working with young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities and is fully committed to serving Freedom clients by creating fully functional and accessible kitchens. Blaines Interiors has two Freedom showrooms with four operational displays, where customers can explore and experience their designs first-hand. Their reach extends across the entire Eastern region, serving Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.Sheila now has the hub of the home she really wanted. “I can now cook for myself and use all the facilities,” she says. “My energy also now lasts longer too, as everything is made so much simpler for me.”

With London’s new ‘Elizabeth Line’ open, Farringdon had been designed to create accessible, safe and comfortable spaces that people can move through easily and efficiently - with sound absorbing insulation playing a key role in minimising station noise for passengers and staff.The solution was the installation of ROCKWOOL RW3 Slabs 75mm thick incorporated in the perforated glass fibre and reinforced concrete tunnel linings of the platform and access areas.