Large u-shaped kitchen with traditional flagstone floor, window to far wall over a wheelchair accessible sink with knee hole. Standard height units to left of sink, tall units to right of sink, with integrated ovens, cupboards above and drawers below. | Adam Thomas seated in wheelchair, accessing a Neff integrated fridge/freezer to right of large u-shaped kitchen by Roundhouse Design | Large contemporary kitchen in river washed ply and dark teal matt lacquer, with traditional flagstone floor. Large l-shaped rise and fall worksurface to left of image, with sin, hob and waterfall edge to contain spills, wall cupboards in dark teal against a bare red brick wall above and drawers below to right of rise and fall. | Image shows the cooking zone of a large wheelchair accessible kitchen with an l-shaped rise and fall worktop, containing hob (centre) and sink to back of seated wheelchair user. Back-lit dark teal wall cupboards against red brick wall on far rear wall. Traditional flagstones to floor. |
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Open plan kitchen in dark teal and river washed ply with l-shaped worktop and continuous knee space beneath both hob and sink. View to large oak framed living and dining space beyond. | Wheelchair user, accessing a wall cupboard with a lift-up door, and a pull-down basket, bringing the contents of the cupboard within reach. This fully accessible kitchen has a large l-shaped worktop with extensive knee space beneath. | Wheelchair user Adam Thomas is seated facing a row of three integrated ovens, each of which has a heat-resistant pull-out shelf beneath. These are Neff ovens, with a unique feature of a door that tucks away in a space beneath the main oven cavity, making them more easy to access. The heat-resistant pull-out shelves protect the wheelchair-user's lap from hot splashes and spills. | Wheelchair user (right) seated at sink (centre) which is mounted on a rise and fall solid surface worktop with a rotating tap. The user is able to push fully under the sink so that his lap is protected from spills and splashes. |
Large l-shaped kitchen worktop on a hydraulic rise and fall system, containing hob (left of centre) and sink (right of centre) and large continuous knee space beneath. Traditional flagstone floor, and standard height units to right of sink, wall units above, with back-lighting against a red brick wall. | Adam Thomas, seated behind large table, with phone, laptop and paperwork. Large oak framed living room in the background with tall picture windows giving views over countryside. |
ACCESSIBLE KITCHEN DESIGN
Access all areas with the UK's leading accessible kitchen designer
Adam Thomas is an independent design consultant, acknowledged as a world leader in accessible, multi-generational and inclusive kitchen design. Through over 30 years of personal experience and research, his kitchen designs have transformed homes across the country. Adam's aims to change the face of accessible kitchen design, enabling access for all by designing flexible, high quality kitchens in a choice of colours and materials.
Using innovative design solutions, Adam continues to set new standards in his field. Working with private clients and stakeholders such as Case Managers, Architects, Personal Injury Solicitors and Occupational Therapists he develops unique, tailored accessible kitchen designs that allow people to live independently in safe surroundings with significantly improved quality of life.
Adam is a specialist consultant to a number of ground-breaking initiatives working towards disability equality in housing, and writes for newspapers and magazines. He is a Visiting Lecturer, and provides tailored training for small groups of professionals. He also supports expert witnesses in his capacity as an experienced subject matter expert in accessible kitchen design.
Get in touch today without obligation to discuss your next project.
ABOUT ADAM
As an independent design consultant Adam has designed hundreds of accessible kitchens, advised on innovative projects and received numerous awards:
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Ambassador for Spinal Research charity, 2024
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Nominated for the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list, 2023
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Ambassador and Trainer for Freedom by Symphony kitchens
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Nominated for the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list, 2022
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Received Lifetime Achievement Award 2020, KBB Review Industry Awards
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Nominated for the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List, 2020
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Designer of the 'Freedom by Symphony' range of accessible kitchen furniture
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Co-author of Kitchens chapter: ‘Wheelchair Housing Design Guide’, third edition
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Guest lecturer on Accessible Kitchen Design, Bucks New University, 2016-2020
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Designed kitchens from 1980 to 2020 for Design Matters KBB Ltd
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Judge, RSA 2019 Student Design Awards
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Created an accessible range of furniture with Roundhouse Design
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Judge and co-writer of the brief, RSA 2018 Student Design Awards
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Selected for the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list 2015
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Named among top 10 influencers, 2014 Disability Influence List
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Speaker at ‘Homes for living’ The Housing Standard Review, HABINTEG 2013
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Head Consultant, Accessible Kitchens, Olympic Village London 2012
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Member of Lifetime Homes Review 2010, Dept of Communities and Local Government
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Member of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), Lifetime Homes 2009
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Designer, Naidex Future Lifestyles House 2008
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Winner, inaugural kitchen industry Accessible Kitchen Design award 2006
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Co-author, NHF ‘Standards and Quality in Development: ‘A Good Practice Guide’
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Designed the 'Access Matters' range of kitchen furniture for Design Matters Ltd
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Co-author, ‘Wheelchair Housing Design Guide’, Mayor of London Housing Strategy
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Lobbyist, Disability Discrimination Act 1995
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Over 30 years' personal experience of disability
SERVICES
EXPERT DESIGN | ACCESS FOR ALL
CONSULTANCY
Adam provides Consultancy services to:
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The kitchen industry, manufacturers and designers with an interest in accessible kitchen design, access arrangements, inclusive and multi-generational design.
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Private clients who require design consultancy at pre-build stage in conjunction with an architect.
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Universities, Schools, Colleges and third sector organisations interested in improving access with the support of an expert.
KITCHEN DESIGN
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Accessible kitchen designs for private clients, housebuilders and architects by an award-winning designer.
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Based on discussion and investigation Adam provides detailed drawings, elevations and perspectives for your OT, Architect and kitchen studio, employing quality materials and innovative design.
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An acknowledged expert in the field of adaptations following catastrophic injury, Adam can provide expert advice for Costs Budgets.
TRAINING & LECTURES
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Visiting Lecturer, designing and delivering courses on accessible, multi-generational and inclusive kitchen design to university students.
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A range of CPD training courses developed for occupational therapists, grant officers, case managers, architects, personal injury solicitors and others with an interest in access.
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Training tailored to the requirements of your team.
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Full day, half day, or lunchtime webinar options available.