The ground floor of Grade C listed Clober Farm in Milngavie was bequeathed to Spinal Injuries Scotland in 2007 by Vivian Donaldson. Forming part of a 280 year old farmhouse and including an extensive garden, SIS has identified huge potential in the property and plans to convert it for use as accessible accommodation for those with spinal cord injuries. In doing so, they aim to showcase a fresh approach to creating and retrofitting an existing property into a fully accessible home.

Combining thoughtful redesign of the interior with the addition of a modern extension, and the creation of an accessible garden, the property will be a centre of excellence in accessible design. The property will not appear to have been adapted for the disabled, instead, accessibility has been included in the design from the outset.

Although the plans maintain the 3 bedroom capacity, we have decided to extend the volume of the living space to the rear of the property. This new “green roofed” extension will form the main living area, main entrance, and will link through the fully accessible kitchen into the existing building. Full height glazing and large folding French doors will allow users to enjoy the garden in all weathers, a welcome change from hospital.

The new extension will house the living area along with the kitchen to create a modern open planned kitchen dinning space, from the extension there will be 3 accessible bedrooms and two bathrooms with wet floor showers, we aim to explore and present ideas that can be carried forward to future housing designs and adaptations. Designers and end users alike will be able to see the latest adaptive equipment in place. They will be able to see how existing products and techniques can be designed to provide an unobtrusive adapted environment that is suitable for everyone.

Spinal Injuries Scotland have been in granted planning permission and also obtained the building warrant, we have been in the design developing stage making sure that we develop a environment that is interchangeable with the different level of injuries making Clober Farm available to all of our member ship, we are about to sign off the final specification so the project managers can start the tender process, and then appoint a main contractor.