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Shortlisted Northants architect says all homes should be accessible

Luis Timms/BBC Duncan Greenaway with short dark hair and blue sweater standing in modern living roomLuis Timms/BBC
Duncan Greenaway said making a house accessible did not mean compromising on beauty

An architect who created a home for his parents after his father was diagnosed with motor neurone disease said all houses should be built with accessibility in mind.

The home in Rothersthorpe, Northamptonshire, has been shortlisted for an architectural award.

Duncan Greenaway faced a battle to get the property built after the local council refused planning permission.

He said the house showed that buildings can be both beautiful and accessible.

RIBA Contemporary two-story house with large windowsRIBA
The contemporary house in Rothersthorpe is up for a Royal Institute of British Architects regional award

When Duncan Greenaway's father, Paul, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2015, he knew it would reduce his mobility and eventually take his life.

He said: "We didn't really think we had time to design and build a house, so we looked at what might be available in the area that might be suitable and there was nothing - which was a real shock.

"Those buildings that claimed to be designed for disabled people looked like hospitals and were really oppressive."

The only option was to take advice on what Paul would need from experts and create it on the site of the family's double garage.

Martin Heath/BBC Duncan Greenaway with short dark hair and grey jacket sitting the garden of a brick-built cottageMartin Heath/BBC
Duncan Greenaway spoke to the BBC in 2017 after a council refused permission for the house

There was an initial setback when South Northamptonshire Council refused planning permission.

He said: "I was truly astounded that they turned it down and, fortunately, we submitted the appeal, we won the appeal and the planning inspector found it to be an exemplary house."

Luis Timms/BBC Bedroom showing large windows, bed and bookshelvesLuis Timms/BBC
The house has floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the views

All of the living spaces are wide enough for wheelchairs and there are no skirting boards for wheels to get caught on.

There are floor-to-ceiling windows so the landscape can be enjoyed whilst standing, sitting or lying down.

Luis Timms/BBC Modern kitchen area with modern units, central bar area and long windowLuis Timms/BBC
Spaces throughout the house are wide enough for wheelchairs and there are no skirting boards

Although Paul did not live to see the finished building, his wife Sally said he would have loved the views: "He would have thought 'wow' - he would spend many an hour just leaning on the windowsill in the bedroom looking at my sheep, looking at the dog, just looking out."

Luis Timms/BBC Sally Greenaway sitting in a lounge with a big window behind her and a pot plant to her leftLuis Timms/BBC
Paul Greenaway's wife Sally said her husband would have loved the views from the house

Duncan Greenaway believes this is how all houses should be. He said: "Everybody gets older and less able in time, so we should design all houses to be really accessible.

"[This is] a really beautiful house but it doesn't look like an accessible home so it doesn't have to be a compromise."

The winners of the Royal Institute of British Architects regional awards will be announced this spring.

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