Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

Andy and Jennifer Cibula, Oakton, Virginia

Andy and Jennifer Cibula have spent around 10 years planning and building their dream

home. Their objectives when creating the home were “to design it so that their two young dis-

abled sons can grow up and live there with a caregiver long after they are gone. And that it not

aesthetically announce that anyone disabled lived there.”1 They have recently accomplished their

goal, blending accessibility with careful to design to allow for the universal use of all of the

homes occupants.

In the kitchen accessibility starts at the entrance. With an 8ft entryway to the home which

gives way to an “open concept kitchen and great room”2 Rather than choosing chairs, which are

often left out causing obstruction, they chose to instal a banquette. 3 This might be a good idea to

use in the Besse household because while they might have a large amount of guests over once a

month it is not an everyday happenstance. The lack of constant need for a large dining area

1 Jill Liphart, “Children's Special Needs Inspire Couples Home Design." Wheelchair Accessibility Blog and Disability News from AMS Vans Inc. June 6, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2014. http://blog.amsvans.com/childrens-special-needs-inspire-couples-home-design//. 2 Jill Liphart, “Children’s Special Needs…”3 Beth Herman, "A Dream Design for the Disabled." Daily Herald. May 11, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2014. http://www.daily-herald.com/article/20140511/entlife/140519967/.

Beth Herman, "A Dream Design for the Disabled." Daily Herald

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

means perhaps having a small in kitchen eating area may be more convenient and allow for Jim

and Anne to continue interaction should Jim wish to spend hi day outside of the living room.

The Cibula’s did not simply stop at general accommodations for their sons, they also in-

cluded custom equipment to accommodate all members of the family. Everything, counters and

cabinets, is at the standard market height making it easily accessible for Andy and Jennifer.

However, keeping their sons in mind the couple installed buttons that

will allow for “counter[s] [to] raise and lower 14 inches for wheel-

chairs to slide underneath and cabinets on wall-mounted, articulated

lifts will descend to wheelchair height where the boys can open

doors and retrieve objects.”4

4Beth Herman, "DCmud - The Urban Real Estate Digest of Washington DC: July 2010." DCmud - The Urban Real Estate Digest of Washington DC: July 2010. July 30, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2014. http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html.

Beth Herman, "A Dream Design for the Disabled." Daily Herald.

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

Bibliography

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

Herman, Beth. "A Dream Design for the Disabled." Daily Herald. May 11, 2014. Accessed Octo-ber 8, 2014. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140511/entlife/140519967/.

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

Jill Liphart, “Children's Special Needs Inspire Couples Home Design."

Jill Liphart, “Children's Special Needs Inspire Couples Home Design."

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study

Herman, Beth. "DCmud - The Urban Real Estate Digest of Washington DC: July 2010." DCmud - The Urban Real Estate Digest of Washington DC: July 2010. July 30, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2014. http://dcmud.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html.

Liphart, Jill. "Children's Special Needs Inspire Couples Home Design." Wheelchair Accessibility Blog and Disability News from AMS Vans Inc. June 6, 2014. Accessed October 8, 2014. http://blog.amsvans.com/childrens-special-needs-inspire-couples-home-design/.

Taylor Coleman Assignment 4: Kitchen Design Precedent Study