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31
HOUSING
Bungalows for the Disabled - Warburton Terrace
Contributed by Mr. F.G. Southgate, A.R.I.B.A.,Borough Architect.
The bungalows have been designed for the use of persons who,
though disabled, are capable of caring for themselves with a minimum
of help.
Siting:
The bungalows have been sited at the rear of the existing Council
properties in Sturge Avenue and form part of a scheme comprising 20
bungalows and 62 lock-up garages. Those for the disabled persons have
been interspersed with those for normal persons so as to avoid the
feeling of a 'colony'. The living rooms have a southwesterly aspect
and overlook the playing fields of the Monoux School. Each bungalow
has been provided with a 'car-port' .
Planning Generally:
The circulation space between rooms has been kept to straight
corridors for the easy manipulation of invalid chairs and the halls
are sufficiently large to allow for the storage of an invalid chair.
Doors to the living rooms are of the double swing type that can be
pushed open by the foot of the chair; other doors are of the light
sliding type on overhead tracks. Entrance doors are reached by means
of an 'easy' ramp with special thresholds for draught exclusion.
Bathrooms have been enlarged over the normal size to allow for easy
manoeuvring of invalid chairs with sufficient space at the side of
W.C. pans for an invalid chair to be wheeled alongside. W.C. pans
will be raised if required. Grab-rails will be provided to suit the
needs of individual tenants. Shallow type baths have been used with
a special pulley type bath plug so that the invalid will not have to reach
down to remove the plug and side mounted valves. An additional W.C.
and lavatory basin have been provided for the use of able persons who
may be visiting or living in the bungalows.
Kitchens:
Working top levels have been lowered to 2'6" from the floor.
Living Rooms and Bedrooms:
Windows throughout have been designed to open from a sitting
position with opening sublights instead of fanlights.
Floor finishes throughout are in mastic asphalt.
Heating:
The heating is by warm air from a self-igniting gas unit; this
provides background heating to the living room, hall and kitchen and
by overspill to the outer rooms in the bungalows. In addition,
electric fires are provided in the living room and main bedroom.
Electrica1 Installations:
Switches and plugs for electric apparatus are fixed at waist
level and rewirable fuses are dispensed with and circuit breakers used.