We designed this residence for a person with specific challenges resulting from brain trauma caused by head injury in an accident. Brain trauma causes different disabilities depending on the location and the severity of the head injury. Therefore, creating places for brain trauma patients requires a "custom design" approach. Programming for this house was detailed and careful with information received from the owner and the caretakers about needs and preferences.

Design responses to specific owner needs and wishes included:

• Fully accessible ground floor (no steps)
• Separate living quarters for a caretaker (upper floor)
• Open shelves and walk-through closet (anything hidden is forgotten)
• Careful placement and sizing of glazing areas (frequent loss of balance when walking)
• Fully wheelchair accessible bathroom and shower
• Computer desk and TV area in the bedroom
• Direct access to the outdoors from bedroom
• Screened porch to catch breezes and views of meadow
• Large laundry room with clothes folding area
• Benches near exterior doors for changing shoes, clothes

The site is located on 10 acres of land of rural character in Orange County, N.C. We placed the house on the north edge of a meadow next to a grove of fruit trees and a rock outcropping. The land is farmed providing a wonderful variety of views changing with each season.

We designed the project to be phased. The living areas, caretaker's apartment and one bedroom wing were built first. A second bedroom and trellised outdoor rooms have been planned for a second phase.

Designed in collaboration with Lyn McClay, AIA of DesignSpec, Inc.