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When George Clarke’s latest series ‘Beautiful Builds’ aired on Channel 4 last month, it showcased not just the creative flair he’s famous for revealing, but also the life-changing impact that thoughtful, inclusive design can have.

Accessible design expert Adam Thomas and designer Mark Doble from retailer Moorgate Kitchens used the Freedom by Symphony range to turn the cramped, impractical kitchen owned by Ben White and his family into a vibrant, accessible centrepiece of the home. 

Ben White has been a wheelchair user since a skydiving accident 11 years ago and when he and his partner moved into their home in 2021, they quickly realised the existing kitchen was, at best, limiting.

A narrow dining room and a small kitchen with an island meant manoeuvrability was almost impossible, making everyday cooking and family life frustrating. Appearing on ‘George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds’ gave Ben the opportunity to pursue a vision of a stylish, contemporary kitchen that was also fully accessible.

Knowing Freedom by Symphony specialised in inclusive solutions, he contacted Adam Thomas, whose accessible design work he had followed for some time.

“One of the benefits of good, accessible design is that it’s inclusive and is great for everyone,” Ben explains. “There’s now enough space in the kitchen for us to be cooking together as a family. 

“We can lower the rise and fall worktop down and my daughter and I can bake. My partner can raise the unit up and it means we can have multiple people working and cooking food together in the kitchen space. The kids can be sitting at the breakfast bar and we can all be social as a family.”

One of the biggest challenges was spatial. The existing kitchen-diner setup simply didn’t allow Ben to move freely so Adam proposed a bold move of blocking off a doorway and removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create one large, open-plan environment. 

Even though that meant sacrificing the recently installed sliding doors, which were repositioned from the kitchen into the dining area. 

This clever compromise created direct access to the garden and Ben’s new garden office, while freeing the main kitchen space for circulation and multi-functional use. The result is a room that now brings eating, living, working and play together in one zone – a transformation that has fundamentally changed the way the family enjoys their home.

For Adam Thomas, whose career has been dedicated to designing inclusive kitchens, this was an opportunity to demonstrate best practice on a national stage. “It was lovely working with George on and off camera,” Adam said. “He showed genuine interest and had lightbulb moments around the topic of accessibility when I demonstrated some of the principles. I’m delighted with the result and that Ben is so happy with the kitchen.”

One of those principles is adaptability, with the rise-and-fall worktop a perfect example, and another is zoning. The dual-sink arrangement, one shallow prep sink within the adjustable unit and one deeper fixed-height sink, means that everyone has a practical option, while still maintaining the flow and aesthetic of a high-end kitchen.

Although accessibility was the driving force, Ben and his family didn’t want to compromise on style, choosing Symphony’s Melrose range in Merlot Red and the ribbed-effect Costina Fresca for texture. These are teamed with bold brass handles and Corian Calacatta Greige worktops. 

For a kitchen designed to make life easier, the choice of appliances was also critical and demonstrates how existing products can be seen from an accessible perspective.

For example, Neff’s Slide & Hide oven reduces burn risk as it is easier to access for for a wheelchair user. The DoorAssist fridge opens with a push or voice command, and is fully integrated with the HomeConnect app.

For retailer Moorgate Kitchens, this was no ordinary project. Designer Mark Doble was tasked with translating Adam Thomas’s accessibility-led plans into a real-world installation that met both the homeowner’s needs and the strict filming deadlines of a television production.

“Working with Adam and George on this project was such a unique mix of excitement and challenge,” Mark said. “The fast-paced world of TV doesn’t wait for anyone, with tight deadlines and constant pressure to deliver, every day was a race against the clock.

“But that’s also what made it so rewarding; there’s nothing quite like the rush of seeing everything come together just in time.

“Ben and his family were an absolute joy to work with. From the very start, they were relaxed, easy-going, and completely trusted Adam and me to bring their vision to life. That trust made all the difference. In the end, we delivered not just a kitchen, but a space that truly felt like theirs.”

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The finer details…

• Furniture – Freedom by Symphony Colours: Symphony Melrose Range in Merlot Red and the ribbed effect Costina Fresca, accented with bold brass handles.
• Worktops – Corian Calacatta Greige surfaces, including a waterfall-edge rise-and-fall section and windowsills. Distributor CDUK and fabricator Counter Production.
• Adjustable Features – An all-in-one right angle rise-and-fall worktop section with a prep sink allows for height flexibility which is an essential for a truly inclusive kitchen.
• Appliances & Smart Tech – Neff smart appliances including Slide & Hide oven and DoorAssist fridge.
• Tap – ZIP Water HydroTap Celius Plus All-in-One provides boiling, chilled, sparkling and filtered water.
• Sink Configuration – Integrated Corian. Dual-sink for accessibility. One shallow prep sink and one deeper fixed-height sink.

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For more information on the Freedom range, please go to the Symphony website.