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Hability | Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

Recently I wrote about Whirlpool’s universal design kitchen concept called the Liberty Project. A conceptual design that had a lot of neat features that were meant to accommodate all members of a family with different degrees of accessibility. But unfortunately the Liberty Project is not available for purchase. However another kitchen unit designed for accessibility is available by Italian company Valcucine. Designed in collaboration with architect and designer Marco Miscioscia, Hability is a modern wheelchair accessible kitchen.

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

Stay Put
The driving philosophy of Hability’s design is the ability to do multiple tasks in one area. Eliminating the need to move from station to station to do different tasks saves time and energy. This is mostly done with Miscioscia’s one piece steel top called Easyfood. Along the Easyfood’s surface the tasks of food prep, cooking, and cleaning can be done. The entire steel surface is roll under while additional counter space and sink has cabinets below.

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

Clean and Dispose
Starting at one end there is a shallow recessed area with a drain and garbage disposal. A tall faucet with hand held nozzle can be used for food prep, cleaning, and dish washing. Angled ridges in the recessed area guide water and food bits to the drain and disposal.

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

Counter This
In between the recessed sink and cooking area is a transitional flat counter. The place to do food prep such as cutting, mixing, and organizing.

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

A Burning Need
At the other end of the Easyfood surface is the cooking area. Here there are two burners and a sink in between. The burners and sink are all recessed in a way to make cleanup easy by allowing cleaning water to flow directly into the sink. Next to the burner at the far end is another faucet. This faucet is used for convenient filling of pots with water while they are on the burner. Finally there is a wall oven built into separate cabinetry.

Hability Wheelchair Accessible Kitchen
Image: {a href=”http://www.valcucine.com/kitchens/programs/6:hability” target=”_blank”}Valcucine{/a}

Conclusion and Contacts
Hability is a very functional kitchen with a modern commercial stainless steel look. For more information visit this link or to find a Valcucine dealer near you visit this link.