I have been commissioned to design and make a home office for a client which I have done many times before but this one is different, The client is a Parkinson’s sufferer and is losing control down his left-hand side. I have had a long talk with the client regarding accessibility etc. He still wants to use his left-hand side for as long as possible so all the furniture will be made to be adaptable left-hand or right-hand use. The wall mounted cupboards to have sliding doors (by all accounts he keeps hitting his head on wall mounted cabinet doors when they are open due to his brain telling one thing and his eye sight saying something else) The client is in the early stages of the disease.  

The computers 22”monitor will be wall mounted on a tilt and turn bracket which will be also mounted on a slide so it will have lateral movement the full width of the desk / worktop (1600mm) The tower will be housed in one of the mobile pedestal units so will be the printer and scanner, both mounted on pull out shelves. The computer system will be voice activated and I am already in discussion with the IT guys regarding there requirements. All power sockets will be placed within easy reach.

That’s the background and as the design stands at this moment.  I am about to put lines on the AutoCAD.

I was wondering if there should be anything else I could take into account or if any one has had any experience in designing such or similar items for a Parkinson’s sufferer.

sparky415 wrote on Apr 14^th, 2008, 7:46pm:


Hi Sparky

I don’t know how to describe this so bear with me. How about a inverted light box, like you see in an hospital for displaying x-rays, but mounted on the underside of the wall mounted cupboards ?        

That would work but maybe try something like this

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/37663/Lighting/Internal-Lighting/Utility-Lighting/...

comes in different lengths

sparky415 wrote on Apr 14^th, 2008, 9:47pm:


Hi Spark

The office is on the first floor and will be on the gallery so when you come up the stairs you will see the underside of the wall cupboard. So I would like the lights to look good. I use these lights already but you must admit that they are not the best looking.  

Have used these fittings before on projects page 60 - 64

woodsmith wrote on Apr 14^th, 2008, 10:20pm:


quite possibly i was thinking more along removing sharp edges incase of spasms

but i must admit apart from being  muscle wasting disease i dont know the exact effects  or possible side effects of the medication taken to contol it

As far as I know the drawer does not "pop open" but just projects enough to be able to grasp the top edge to open it; but I must admit to never using them personally, so I can not say for sure. Perhaps you will let us know what you think of them when you get the sample.

This is always the dilemma when designing for disabilities that whilst something is an advantage in one aspect is is a disadvantage in another.

Initially Parkinson's is characterised by muscle tremors, ultimately it is all consuming and the person is confined to a wheelchair. How much a person could use an office once they get to that stage is debatable. There are treatments available now which may help, my aunt had it 10 years ago and it was truly distressing.

sparky415 wrote on Apr 15^th, 2008, 9:43pm:


Hi Spark

I don’t know if I will be using the fittings on page 63 they are only 18 x 14mm or 62 or 79  used them all before they are ok.

I will mount the light fittings in the underside of the wall cupboard so they will illuminate the desk / work top. Treated the electrician I work with to a coffee and a cream cake this afternoon to discuss the project. At this moment in time I am considering putting the tower, printer, scanner and another in single mobile pedestal unit. Housed in the base will be 3 twin 13amp sockets feed or supplied via a trailing lead. These sockets will be operated via grid system “?” mounted in the drawer. These will not only turn the power on or off for the computer etc but also the monitor and the lighting under the cupboards. Each of the switches will be illuminated and ladled so the client can see what is live and what isn’t. There will also be a main switch that will cut the power to all the appliances. I know this sounds as clear as mud, all know is that electricity works with 2 peaces of wet string, 1 elastic band with a knot in it, 2 tin cans which 1 must a beans tin and I some case a mirror.

If you are interested I can publish the design and specification when completed.      

Hi Sparks

Still very much concerned about reflections as you mentioned in your first reply. I have had what the electrician calls “one of those thoughts” at which point he puts his head in his hands and heads of to the door.

As mentioned I have concerns regarding reflections so I was wondering if I could use the fittings as mentioned but set them at 45 deg so the light produced would be reflected off the underside of the cupboard, thus hopefully keeping any reflections on the monitor to a minimum.

I was thinking that offices with monitors have those nasty fluorescents with the grills
They also use up lighters and wall washers that reflect the lights off of the walls and ceilings (probably no good for you but it shows that reflections and glare is a problem with monitors)

I don’t know what you both have in mind; hopefully someone else will have some suggestions

But here are my thoughts
Just a couple of ideas for you and your customer to think about

Will your office look anything like this?



I was thinking maybe your built in light boxes for ambient lighting?
How about a bookcase light for some task lighting? The top cabinet should keep reflections off the monitor

I would have a play with various lights combinations and angles especially if you have a few odd lights hanging around
Hope I am helping and not making things more confusing