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A Catalano Systema wash basin with Jado Borma faucet, is mounted on a custom built vanity in rift cut white oak with Cirrus white Corian counters.

Free-flowing bath eases physical limitations

By Dermot Mack

British Columbia has one of the fastest-aging populations in Canada, and the physical limitations that age can bring is being reflected in bathroom makeovers.

Bathroom before in a 1970s South Surrey rancher.

Yet, as the team at Kenorah Construction and Design Ltd. found recently, the challenge is to design a modern, stylish and accessible bath that in no way is to look like a bathroom serving a physical handicap, explained design leader Gordon Taylor.

A reinforced tempered glass pony wall separates the shower, which is accessed via a full-length Corian bench. The original space was extended 14 inches to create the larger, barrier-free bathroom.

The South Surrey client, in his 60s, had ailments that restricted mobility in his 1970s rancher. He wanted a European-style luxury bath that would not only look great but also allow easy access now and into the future.

Signature touches reflect the merger of natural materials, subtle design and pragmatism: captured here in wooden and ceramic bowls, designer soaps and sponges.

Kenorah replied with a design that virtually eliminates barriers, by removing the shower door and curb and adjusting the floor joists to accommodate a gradual slope for drainage. The bathroom was expanded by 14 inches and a tempered glass pony wall, anchored to the foundation, was installed to separate the shower from the rest of the space.

The shower system is a fully adjustable Grohe eight-inch Rain shower head, wand and shower bar. Radiant heating is installed beneath the over-sized porcelain floor tiles.

A cirrus white Corian bench running the full length of the bathroom enables the client to easily access the shower, which is equipped with a Grohe eight-inch Rain shower head, wand, and shower bar.

The old shower enclosure was awkward to access for someone with physical limitations.

Additional comfort was provided using Flex-Therm radiant floor heat beneath all of the non-slip, 12inch by 24inch porcelain tiles.

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