How to create that ‘perfect’ home

Peter is a teenage boy who, following an accident, has physical and mental disabilities. He is a client of forensic engineering practice Gateley Smithers Purslow (GSP). Here, GSP’s Barry Ford outlines the process involved in creating a suitable home for Peter and his family.

[IN 2018, GSP’s expert witness department analysed medical reports provided by Peter’s legal team to determine what accommodation he would need. A property search found land in North Yorkshire – an area where Peter’s family wanted to live – and their architecture team helped prepare a feasibility study to determine if it was possible to build a house of the size required.

They submitted a project budget for a two-storey scheme, costing approximately £800,000, which was agreed by both parties and included in the final settlement figure.

GSP’s brief included specialist accommodation for Peter, with closelyannexed space for two carers to include bedsits, a kitchen and shower room. Peter’s mother also required her own living space, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom – connected to the main house, but with its own entrance.

In 2019, the expert witness team handed over the project to their architecture colleagues. They met Peter, his mother, case manager and carers to discuss the project brief and better understand Peter’s particular needs and the family’s aspiration for what would become their ‘forever home’.

The most important features for Peter were his trampoline pit and a specialist bath that raised and lowered for easy access – with flashing, coloured lights and a surround sound music system.

Having amended the design so it covered all accommodation needs and was aesthetically sympathetic to the local vernacular, the next step was to consider the building phase and the property’s location within a flood risk area.

Following design approval, the project was submitted for planning approval. While waiting for that, GSP agreed with the client that its architects would begin the detailed building design, meaning Building Regulations approval could be applied for and production information developed without delaying the project.

GSP is a proponent of sustainable design and after client discussions they increased the insulation levels above Building Regulation standards and specified triple glazing to the windows to reduce heat loss and noise within the building. PV panels were installed on the south-facing roof to reduce electricity running costs and the building was designed with a sustainable urban drainage system, so no rainwater discharge went into the mains sewers.

The detailed design is an important stage, as the client needs to appreciate all the building finishes and decide upon aesthetics such as floor/wall finishes and bathroom/kitchen fittings.Although the house is for a person with special needs, it is a home and not a clinical environment.

GSP received planning approval in 2020 and invited trusted contractors to tender for the works. In addition to its client, GSP also reported to the trustee appointed by the Court of Protection and all costs relating to the project had to be agreed before proceeding.

After a six-month build, and as the project neared completion, GSP arranged a ‘topping out’ ceremony for Peter. During that time, all parties kept in regular contact and followed a spirit of collaborative working. GSP says that ‘communication and involvement is key to a successful project and one of the most important things a project manager can do is listen’.

In August 2021 Peter, his mother and care team were given the keys to the completed building. After looking around his new home, Peter said he thought the house was ‘perfect’. q • Gateley Smithers Purslow is an engineering, surveying and architectural practice handling high net worth and complex building, construction and property claims for the insurance market. The practice employs 125 chartered engineers, surveyors, architects and support staff from its Glaston head office and branches in Chester, Exeter, Leeds, Llandudno, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Reading.

In 2016 and then 2019 GSP secured Platinum Investors in People status.